14 FEBRUARY 2025
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 3 CHELSEA 0
PREMIER LEAGUE
at the AMERICAN EXPRESS STADIUM, FALMER.
Chelsea were back at the Amex, for the second time in six days, this time for a Premier League encounter, "live" in front of the Sky Sports cameras, the match also being broadcast over the airwaves on Talksport and BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
Albion had to make one enforced change to the team which beat Chelsea 2-1 in the FA Cup six days ago at the Amex, with Adam Webster coming in for the injured Lewis Dunk.
Chelsea Head Coach Enzo Maresca made four changes to his starting line-up from the team which played at the Amex six days ago, with Filip Jorgensen, Levi Colwill, Enzo Fernandez and Noni Madueke replacing Robert Sanchez, Tosin Adarabioyo, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jadon Sancho.
There were two former Albion players in Chelsea's starting line-up, namely Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo, plus former Albion loanee Levi Colwill. Former Albion goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was on the Chelsea substitutes bench.
In their meetings last season, Chelsea did the treble over the Albion, on the 27 September 2023 winning 1-0 in the Third Round of the Carabao Cup at Stamford Bridge with Nicolas Jackson (50m) scoring the decider. On the 3 December 2023 in the Premier at Stamford Bridge it was 3-2 to the Blues with their goals coming from Enzo Fernandez 2 (17m & 65m, penalty) and Levi Colwill (21m). Albion's goals came from Facundo Buonanotte (43m) and Joao Pedro (90+2m).
In the return game at the Amex on the 15 May 2024 it was 2-1 to the Blues with Cole Palmer (34m) and Christopher Nkunku (64m) netting their goals and Danny Welbeck (90+7m) replying for the Seagulls.
Previously this season, on the 28 September 2024, in the Premier, it was 4-2 to Chelsea with all their goals coming from Cole Palmer (21m, 28m, penalty, 31m & 41m). Albion's goals were scored by Georginio Rutter (7m) and Carlos Baleba (34m).
Early on Danny Welbeck had a half-chance but his close-range effort was blocked by former Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo. Then Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke combined down their right to set-up Cole Palmer just inside the box but the latter's shot flew well wide of the target. On 27 minutes the Seagulls took the lead with a magnificent goal as keeper Bart Verbruggen's long lobbed pass was picked up by Kaoru Mitoma as the ball dropped out of the sky the Japanese winger left Trevor Chalobah in his wake before bending a superb shot past Chelsea keeper Filip Jorgensen. Surely a contender for goal of the season. 1-0.
The Blues tried to come back from going behind, with two Pedro Neto efforts and a headed goal from Enzo Fernandez which was chalked off because of a foul in the build-up. However, on 38 minutes the Albion increased their lead when keeper Jorgensen pushed Georginio Rutter's deflected shot into the path of Yankuba Minteh who lashed the ball home from close-range for Albion's second. 2-0. A good first-half for the Seagulls and Kaoru Mitoma.
Half-time 2-0.
First opportunity of the second-half fell to the Seagulls but Rutter's volley flew over the bar. On 63 minutes the Albion sealed the three points when Welbeck found Minteh, the winger cut inside Marc Cucurella before sending a deflected shot past Jorgensen into the Chelsea net. 3-0. The Seagulls were now well in command, Jorgensen blocked a Minteh strike and substitute Joao Pedro missed two good chances, a shot and then a header. Joel Veltman was then unfortunate to see his shot tipped on to the post by Jorgensen and at the other end Verbruggen did well to keep out a deflection off Adam Webster. A fine evening's work by the Albion.
Final-score 3-0.
Match stats:
Albion had 13 attempts at goal, with 5 on target and won 2 corners, free-kicks conceded - 12.
Chelsea had 8 attempts at goal, with 0 on target and won 9 corners, free-kicks conceded - 15.
TO SUM UP - With this excellent 3-0 victory over Chelsea, this was Albion's first home win in the Premier since the 9 November 2024, when Manchester City were despatched 2-1. We also had the worldy of a goal from Kaoru Mitoma, which will linger long in the memory.
Cant wait for Southampton away on the 22 February!
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Bart VERBRUGGEN; Joel VELTMAN, Jan Paul VAN HECKE, Adam WEBSTER, Tariq LAMPTEY; Carlos BALEBA (Yasin AYARI 84), Jack HINSHELWOOD (Diego GOMEZ 74); Yankuba MINTEH (Simon ADINGRA 89), Georginio RUTTER (Joao PEDRO 73), Kaoru MITOMA; Danny WELBECK (Capt) (Matt O'RILEY 84).
Subs not used: Carl RUSHWORTH (G/K), Eiran CASHIN, Mats WIEFFER, Brajan GRUDA.
Chelsea line-up (4-2-3-1):- Filip JORGENSEN; Malo GUSTO (Reece JAMES 65), Trevor CHALOBAH, Levi COLWILL, Marc CUCURELLA; Moises CAICEDO (Kiernan DEWSBURY-HALL 65), Enzo FERNANDEZ (Capt); Noni MADUEKE (Jadon SANCHO 21), Cole PALMER, Pedroi NETO (Tyrique GEORGE 65); Christopher NKUNKU.
Subs not used: Robert SANCHEZ (G/K), Tosin ADAR-ABIOYO, Joshua ACHEAMPONG, Mathis OMOUGOU, Aaron ANSELMINO.
Referee: Chris Kavanagh (Leicestershire).
Fourth Official: Stuart Attwell,
VAR Official: Michael Oliver.
Yellow Cards: Albion: 1 - Yankuba Minteh. Chelsea: 2 - Moises Caicedo,
Enzo Fernandez.
Possession: Albion - 31%. Chelsea - 69%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Kaoru Mitoma (Albion).
Attendance: 31503.