Chelsea player ratings vs Brighton with two 3/10s in disastrous defeat | Football | Sport

Chelsea suffered a fifth successive Premier League defeat as Brighton thrashed the west Londoners 3-0, heaping further pressure on head coach Liam Rosenior. If there were any remaining doubts, it became unmistakably apparent that the travelling faithful have now turned against Rosenior, who found himself on the receiving end of hostile chants on the south coast. The Blues sit seven points adrift of Liverpool in fifth place, with their top-five ambitions appearing all but extinguished following this latest damaging setback. Brighton have overtaken Chelsea, who slip to seventh in the standings.

The Seagulls made their mark early, breaking the deadlock with just four minutes gone at the Amex Stadium. Ferdi Kadioglu opened the scoring. Chelsea were pegged back to two goals down shortly after the restart. Jack Hinshelwood, who had squandered a gilt-edged opportunity in the first half, made amends by sliding the ball past Sanchez to double Brighton’s lead. Danny Welbeck then added a third in stoppage time to compound Chelsea’s misery further.

Express Sport rates and slates the Blues below…

Chelsea player ratings

Robert Sanchez – 6

A superb early save to thwart Kaoru Mitoma, but from the resulting corner, a deflected effort from Kadioglu left him with no chance. Another fine stop around the quarter-hour mark to keep out Jan Paul van Hecke. It was an impressive start from Sanchez, yet he made an almost calamitous error and had Trevoh Chalobah to thank that it didn’t result in a second Brighton goal. Some vital saves but poor with the ball at his feet.

Found himself in numerous crossing positions but his delivery was woeful. Far too frequently his crosses failed to clear the first man.

Kadioglu’s strike took an unfortunate deflection off the Frenchman. Beyond that, a thoroughly dismal display from Fofana, who has no right to be in the starting XI at present. Withdrawn at the interval.

A vital goal-line clearance to spare Sanchez’s blushes. One of Chelsea’s better performers, though that is hardly high praise.

Chelsea’s sole player in decent form and that was evident once again. A magnificent moment from Hato shortly before the break, sliding in to win possession before being unfortunately prevented from embarking on a surging run forward. Some uncertain moments, however, temper his rating slightly.

Lacked composure in possession, as did most in black and white. Has appeared a pale imitation of himself in recent weeks.

See above. His performances have declined dramatically alongside this dreadful run of results that the Blues find themselves in. Lost his footing for the second goal when greater composure was required.

Bypassed far too easily. It remains difficult to identify what he brings to this Chelsea side at present.

The Argentine operated in a more advanced position, essentially playing off the striker on the south coast. Ineffective. Unable to influence proceedings anywhere near as much as he would have wished.

His confidence appeared shattered at times. His decision-making left much to be desired as well. Whether instructed to or otherwise, he retreated too frequently.

Substitutes

Liam Delap – 4

Received virtually no service whatsoever, once again. Unconvincing when he did get on the ball. 4

Alejandro Garnacho (on for Fofana 46′) – 6

Bright. Looked a rare threat in the final third for the Blues. 6

Dario Essugo (on for Lavia 71′) – N/A

Unable to make an impression. Challenging conditions in which to enter the fray.

Marc Guiu (on for Delap 71′) – N/A

See above. Produced a strike that narrowly missed via a deflection.

Josh Acheampong (on for Gusto 92′) – N/A