Chelsea: Jamie Carragher brutally tears Jadon Sancho apart as star slumps into old habits | Football | Sport

Jamie Carragher let rip at Chelsea duo Jadon Sancho and Marc Cucurella over their roles in the third goal of Brighton and Hove Albion’s 3-0 win on Friday night. Brighton earned their second victory against the Blues in seven days after knocking them out of the FA Cup fourth round at the Amex Stadium last Saturday.

Enzo Maresca had dropped Sancho to the bench after an underwhelming performance last time out, but another attacking injury forced Noni Madueke to withdraw after 21 minutes.

The Manchester United loanee, who has managed just one assist in his last 12 appearances, replaced him but failed to make any sort of impact.

Kaoru Mitoma, the FA Cup match-winner, opened the scoring on 27 minutes with a world-class touch from goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen’s long ball and bending finish from range.

Yankuba Minteh doubled the hosts’ advantage in the first half after keeping his composure during a moment of pinball inside the Chelsea box.

And the 20-year-old notched a second just past the hour mark, again assisted by Danny Welbeck before cutting inside and firing past Filip Jorgensen.

But Chelsea’s defending left a lot to be desired, and Carragher didn’t allow it to go without criticism, focusing on Sancho and Cucurella’s failure in the build-up.

Given Sancho’s snide “freedom” dig at his parent club following Marcus Rashford’s Aston Villa debut, which didn’t make him any more popular at Old Trafford, the time and space he afforded Minteh was ironic.

After taking advantage of the Chelsea winger’s lack of awareness, Minteh also profited from weakness in the tackle from Cucurella before finding the net.

On Sky Sports commentary, Carragher reacted: “They’ve battered Chelsea. Chelsea are unhappy about a slight foul on Colwill by Danny Welbeck.

“I don’t think there’s too much in it. I think it’ll be fine. I think Minteh’s got his goal. That just sums up the difference in the two teams. It’s absolutely nothing, just get up and get on with the game.

“Just see Sancho with Minteh at the top of your picture, the one-two and just watch Sancho… I mean, where’s he going?!

“And he goes inside Cucurella, awful defending from the left-back again. Minteh has the potential to be a real star, but the intensity on that side from Cucurella and Sancho was awful.

“This is a bad, bad night for Enzo Maresca and Chelsea.”

Chelsea remain fourth in the Premier League but will finish the weekend in seventh if Newcastle United, Manchester City and AFC Bournemouth pick up wins.

Maresca’s men are in free fall, winning just two and losing four of their last nine league games. A daunting trip to Aston Villa is next on the agenda.