Brighton vs Chelsea player ratings: Three flops as Palmer embarrasses Maresca in meltdown | Football | Sport

Chelsea turned in a terrible display as they went down to a second defeat in seven days at Brighton. Enzo Maresca‘s side were woeful at the back in particular, and trailed 27 minutes in when Kaoru Mitoma brilliantly brought down Bart Verbruggen’s clearance and fired home.

Yankuba Minteh made it 2-0 before the break after a goalmouth scramble, and then added a third from close range in the second half after cutting past Marc Cucurella. Joel Veltman also hit the post and in return, the visitors were toothless in attack with Cole Palmer notably below par.

The Blues will now drop out of the top four if Manchester City win against Newcastle on Saturday.

Here are Express Sport’s Chelsea player ratings…

Chelsea player ratings (4-2-3-1):

Filip Jorgensen 4: Would have been disappointed to get a hand to Mitoma’s shot but not keep it out. Left scrambling for the second goal and didn’t react in time for the third. One awful clearance would have ended in a fourth goal but Joao Pedro fluffed the chance.

Malo Gusto 7: Looked to get forward and one surging early run created a chance for Palmer. Didn’t do enough to stop the low ball in that led to Yankuba Minteg scoring though.

Levi Colwill 5: Gave away possesion for the third goal and not the commanding performance that Chelsea needed in the heart of their defence.

Trevoh Chalobah 5: As good as the touch was, ended up completely flummoxed by Mitoma’s run and control for the first goal. Looked shaky whenever Brighton came forward.

Marc Cucurella 5: Like in the FA Cup tie, seemed too fired up against his former side. A rash early foul on Minteh set the tone for his night – and then taken on way too easily for the forward’s second goal.

Moises Caicedo 6: As always, a presence in midfield but lacked his usual influence. Fortunate to only see yellow after clattering Mitoma before the break.

Enzo Fernandez 5: His headed equaliser was rightfully ruled out for a push and blasted one shooting chance way off target. Continues to fall way short of expectations.

Pedro Neto 4: Had an awful night. Lost possession in attack and lacked composure, twice firing wildly wide before being hooked off.

Cole Palmer 5: Will the real Cole Palmer please stand up? Twice in the first half was presented with half-chances, only for his finishes to lack any conviction. Stumbled in the area with another opportunity after the break.

Noni Madueke 7: Had linked well in attack early on but his night was ended after just 21 minutes due to a hamstring injury. The injury crisis continues.

Christopher Nkunku 4: Virtually non-existent. Work rate poor and his movement lacked desire and conviction. A summer exit looks on the cards.

Subs:

Jadon Sancho (for Madueke, 21) 5: Given a chance from Madueke’s injury but struggled to have any impact. Failed to track Minteh properly for the third goal.

Kieran Dewsbury-Hall (for Caicedo, 65) 6: Thrown on at 3-0 and little chance to stem the tide.

Reece James (for Gusto, 65) 6: Like Dewsbury-Hall, void of blame for what went beforehand. If nothing else, more minutes under his belt.

Tyrique George (for Neto, 65) 5: Completed the triple substitution but his main contribution was a careless handball outside his own area.