Chelsea v Brighton & Hove Albion Live Commentary & Result, 15/04/2023, Premier League

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	PTS	Form
1	MCI Manchester City	38	28	5	5	94	33	+61	89	L D W W W
2	ARS Arsenal	38	26	6	6	88	43	+45	84	W L L W W
3	MUN Manchester United	38	23	6	9	58	43	+15	75	W W W W L
4	NEW Newcastle United	38	19	14	5	68	33	+35	71	D D W D L
5	LIV Liverpool	38	19	10	9	75	47	+28	67	D D W W W
6	BHA Brighton & Hove Albion	38	18	8	12	72	53	+19	62	L D W L W
7	AVL Aston Villa	38	18	7	13	51	46	+5	61	W D W L L
8	TOT Tottenham Hotspur	38	18	6	14	70	63	+7	60	W L L W L
9	BRE Brentford	38	15	14	9	58	46	+12	59	W W W L W
10	FUL Fulham	38	15	7	16	55	53	+2	52	L D W W L
11	CRY Crystal Palace	38	11	12	15	40	49	-9	45	D D W L W
12	CHE Chelsea	38	11	11	16	38	47	-9	44	D L L D W
13	WOL Wolverhampton Wanderers	38	11	8	19	31	58	-27	41	L D L W L
14	WHU West Ham United	38	11	7	20	42	55	-13	40	L W L W L
15	BOU AFC Bournemouth	38	11	6	21	37	71	-34	39	L L L L W
16	NFO Nottingham Forest	38	9	11	18	38	68	-30	38	D W D W L
17	EVE Everton	38	8	12	18	34	57	-23	36	W D L W D
18	LEI Leicester City	38	9	7	22	51	68	-17	34	W D L L D
19	LEE Leeds United	38	7	10	21	48	78	-30	31	L L D L L
20	SOU Southampton	38	6	7	25	36	73	-37	25	D L L L L

Brighton head back to the south coast flying high, then. Chelsea face Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final next. Good luck to them there. That's all for now. Goodbye!

Brighton stay seventh in the Premier League, a point behind Aston Villa with two games in hand. A place in Europe next season is very much in their sights. Chelsea stay 11th. The Blues are winless in their last five league games. This season is a write-off for them.

Enciso's wonder goal proved decisive here at Stamford Bridge! Brighton fully deserve the win, having cancelled out Gallagher's early strike through Welbeck. The Seagulls kept their cool in the second half, and got their just reward through the Paraguayan's sumptuous long-range strike. Chelsea can have no complaints.

90' + 8' FULL-TIME: CHELSEA 1-2 BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION

90' + 7' Gross sends one last cross into the box. Welbeck's shot gets blocked and the German forces Kepa to make a simple save. Chelsea march forward but there's no time for them to equalise now. That's it!

90' + 6' Brighton win a throw-in right near Chelsea's corner flag and do their best to keep the ball there. There's no way they're conceding now.

90' + 4' Brighton enjoy their first proper attack for a while. James blocks Estupinan's cross. Chelsea race upfield and Mudryk sends a venomous long-range shot spinning over the crossbar.

90' + 3' Mac Allister carries the ball towards the corner to run down the clock for Brighton. Badiashile tracks him all the way and comes away with it.

90' + 1' Caicedo goes down on the turf as Chelsea earn a corner down their right. He's helped up and immediately runs back into his box to defend the corner, to the chagrin of the Stamford Bridge faithful.

90' There'll be six more minutes of this. That's enough time for Chelsea to equalise if they can create the right opportunity.

89' Brighton head the free-kick away without any fuss, but Chelsea still have possession. Dunk nods Gallagher's hopeful cross safely back to Sanchez.

88' Gross takes out Gallagher near the byline to the left of Brighton's box. Chelsea have a free-kick from a promising position.

J. van Hecke

A. Webster

87' Webster trudges off the pitch. He doesn't look that injured. Van Hecke races on for Brighton.

87' Chelsea resume their attempt to salvage something from this game. If they do, it will only be due to Brighton's profligacy.

85' Play's stopped as Enciso's taken a whack from Chalobah off the ball. Now Webster's down with cramp. The Chelsea fans boo half-heartedly. This is some canny game management from Brighton.

84' March's square pass from the right is intercepted by Badiashile. Chelsea charge forward. Ziyech can't get past the excellent Estupinan.

82' Chelsea are finally taking some initiative. It feels like Brighton are letting them, which perhaps isn't the wisest move.

81' Gallagher almost gets the opportunity to run through on goal. Estupinan spots the danger and nips in before the midfielder can test Sanchez.

80' Gallagher plays a one-two with Chalobah but can't get past Brighton's bright orange defence. Dunk eventually gets a free-kick out of Ziyech.

79' Mudryk charges onto a throughball down the left and cuts the ball back to outside the D. Mount can't keep his effort down.

Robert Sánchez

Yellow Card

77' Sanchez is shown the yellow card for taking his time over a goal-kick. You can't blame Brighton for some gamesmanship now.

76' Chelsea keep possession for a while but don't seem to know what to do with it. That's been their issue all season.

M. Mount

D. Zakaria

74' Here's that Chelsea change. Mount takes Zakaria's place in midfield. They need a spark from somewhere.

73' Welbeck is down receiving treatment for an issue. While that's happening, Chelsea will make a much-needed change.

71' That's Enciso's second Premier League goal for Brighton. He's got a bright future ahead of him. Chelsea look shellshocked.

S. March

Assist

69' March's pass inside for Enciso was the most understated assist the Englishman could make. It was the right one though, and the Paraguayan made the very best of it. This Brighton side really are something.

J. Enciso

Goal

69' GOAL! CHELSEA 1-2 BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION! Enciso hands Brighton the lead with an incredible strike! The 19-year-old is found unmarked by March and from 30 yards decides to put his foot through the ball, lashing it into the top-left corner. Kepa has no chance.

68' March's delivery is headed wide by Webster and kept alive by Mac Allister. Both team vie for possession in midfield and Brighton come away with it...

68' Welbeck drops deep and tries to free Mitoma on the turn. James anticipates the move and pokes the ball out for a Brighton corner.

66' Brighton make a muddle of the goal-kick, inviting Chelsea pressure. Dunk recovers quickly enough to carry the ball away for the Seagulls, but it's a reminder that they can still lose this if they're not careful.

65' Chelsea play keep-ball. It's the first decent spell they've had on the ball for a while. James' cutback is blocked by Sanchez, as is Mudryk's follow-up drive at the near post. Chilwell heads off target shortly after.

64' Kovacic nips in to steal the ball from Caicedo and earn Chelsea a free-kick. They'll be glad to see the end of that spell of Brighton pressure.

63' Enciso drifts inside to free Mitoma down the left. The Japan maestro can't get past Chalobah to trouble Kepa too much with his shot.

62' Brighton might live to regret that missed chance. They've had 20 shots on goal now. They really should be leading at this stage.

60' What a chance for Brighton to take the lead! Enciso pressures James into a mistake and drives inside from the byline. The Paraguayan hits the near post at close range and Welbeck can't steer the rebound into the empty net!

59' Estupinan, who's having a good game, drags a left-footed shot wide of the far post from range.

João Félix

R. Sterling

57' Sterling's the last Chelsea player to go off for now. Felix is his replacement.

R. James

W. Fofana

57' Fofana goes next. James will slot in at right-back for Chelsea.

M. Kovačić

E. Fernández

57' Fernandez is the next Chelsea player to make way. On comes Kovacic in midfield.

H. Ziyech

C. Pulišić

56' Chelsea make their first raft of changes. Ziyech replaces the ineffectual Pulisic.

56' Brighton's corner comes to nothing, but they're still in control of this game. Fofana slides in to win the ball from the lively Enciso.

54' Enciso blasts at Kepa from the left of the box. Welbeck and March both attack the rebound but miscommunicate and get in each other's way! March salvages a corner for the visitors.

52' Sterling has the ball down Chelsea's right but can't do anything with it. Apart from their goal, the Blues haven't created much.

T. Chalobah

Yellow Card

51' Chalobah lands himself in the referee's book for a late tackle on Estupinan.

51' Chilwell latches onto a pass over the top to hit the ball at Sanchez at his near post. There's not enough power on the shot to trouble the Spaniard.

50' Fofana heads March's corner away. Gross sends the ball back into the danger area. Kepa has it covered.

49' Welbeck cleverly drifts wide to give Estupinan room to gallop into on the underlap. The Colombian sends the ball across goal. It deflects out for a Brighton corner.

48' Enciso has space open up in front of him so decides to have a crack at goal. It's a low drive that Kepa easily saves. The Chelsea keeper fluffs his goal-kick though, and Welbeck gives him another routine save to make.

46' Chelsea get the second half started. They're wisely saving their substitutions for later when Brighton will have fewer reinforcements to call on.

Brighton had 68 per cent possession in that first half and 12 shots to Chelsea's three. The Londoners are still in this game, but they're being outplayed and at home, no less. They're clearly not the force of even a few years ago under Thomas Tuchel.

We're halfway through an entertaining game. Chelsea opened the scoring through Gallagher, but it's Brighton who've been on top so far. Welbeck levelled for the Seagulls, who should feel disappointed not to be ahead. More to come!

45' + 5' HALF-TIME: CHELSEA 1-1 BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION

45' + 4' Chelsea end the half on a high, as Pulisic tries to beat Sanchez with a near-post header. The American's effort hits the post, but Gallagher was offside in the build-up anyway.

45' + 3' Gallagher nips in to send Sterling scampering down the left. What can Chelsea make of this?

45' + 1' There'll be four added minutes before half-time. Chalobah beats Mitoma to March's whipped ball in. Chelsea half-clear and Mac Allister's shot deflects out for a corner.

C. Gallagher

Yellow Card

45' Gallagher goes in strong on Caicedo and earns himself a yellow card.

44' Brighton more than merit going in level at half-time. They should be leading. It's been over half an hour since Chelsea had a shot on goal.

P. Groß

Assist

42' That goal came at the end of a well-worked move from Brighton. Gross looked up, checked on his left foot and found Welbeck with a looping delivery.

D. Welbeck

Goal

42' GOAL! CHELSEA 1-1 BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION! Welbeck equalises for the Seagulls, nodding home Gross' cross towards the far post. That goal is the least the visitors deserve.

40' Gross, now playing at right-back for Brighton, reaches the byline but can't keep his cross in play.

D. Welbeck

E. Ferguson

39' Welbeck takes Ferguson's place up front. That's a shame for Brighton. He'd been leading their frontline well.

39' Welbeck's on the touchline ready to come on. We've seen the last of Ferguson in this game. Fofana bursts down the right and looks for Sterling in space at the far post. The Englishman nods off target and Brighton clear.

37' Ferguson's on his feet and walks around the edge of the pitch flanked by physios. He might come back on. For now, play resumes and Sterling trips Mac Allister to give Brighton a free-kick.

35' Ferguson stumbled after making that header and looks to be in some discomfort. Brighton don't want to lose two players to injury this early on.

33' Brighton almost score a lovely goal! Ferguson spins and feeds Enciso who pops the ball up for the Irishman to meet with a powerful header. Kepa springs into action to tip it over the crossbar for a corner.

32' Brighton have a mild penalty shout as Chalobah shrugs Mitoma off the ball in the box. The referee isn't interested.

30' Mac Allister skips past two challenges and goes for goal from distance. He's not too far from finding the top-right corner.

29' Brighton just keep on coming. Mitoma teases Chalobah and drags a cross-cum-shot across the face of goal.

J. Enciso

J. Veltman

28' Brighton make an enforced change. Their teenage Paraguayan Enciso replaces Veltman.

28' Veltman spends some time on the turf with an injury. The Dutchman is soon up on his feet, but it's clear he can play no further part in this game.

26' Kepa keeps Mitoma out! The Japan winger checks past three Chelsea defenders and fires low at the near post. The Spanish stopper does his job.

25' March receives a square pass from Estupinan and curls high and wide with his left foot from range.

23' Pulisic clips a cross into the Brighton penalty area. It's no threat to Sanchez.

21' Estupinan appeals for handball off Gallagher as the pair race for a throughball into Chelsea's box. Kepa claims the Colombian's shot first. No penalty.

19' Mitoma holds the ball up for Estupinan, who swings in a cross from the left. Kepa is able to grab it.

17' Despite that setback, Brighton resume their dominance. The visitors win two corners off Badiashile down their left. Chelsea deal with both.

15' That's a big goal for Chelsea. Their streak of consecutive Premier League games without a first-half goal at Stamford Bridge ends at eight. They've never made it to nine before, and won't now.

M. Mudryk

Assist

13' Mudryk showed great drive to carry Chelsea forward and find Gallagher. The finish was a touch fortunate, but the hosts will take it!

C. Gallagher

Goal

13' GOAL! CHELSEA 1-0 BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION! Gallagher gives the Blues the lead against the run of play! Mudryk wins possession and darts inside, laying off to the Englishman who strikes first time from outside the box. It deflects off Dunk and past Sanchez!

12' Brighton have made a dominant start to this game. They've had 78 per cent of the ball so far.

10' Ferguson hits the woodwork! The young Irishman blasts towards goal from inside the D and watches his shot crash against the crossbar. Chelsea hurriedly clear.

8' Brighton are looking purposeful as ever. Mitoma leaves Chalobah in the dust and cuts back for Mac Allister, whose shot from the centre of the box bobbles wide.

7' Chelsea swing the corner in. Brighton clear it as far as Mudryk, who takes a touch inside and curls wide from outside the box.

6' Chelsea get the first corner of the game out of Dunk.

J. Veltman

Yellow Card

4' Veltman picks up an early yellow card for a poor challenge on Mudryk down Chelsea's left.

3' Mac Allister latches onto a lofted pass to the right of the six-yard box. The Argentinian fizzes the ball across goal and wide of the left-hand post.

1' Brighton get this match under way!

Chelsea have never lost at home to Brighton in the league, conceding just once in their seven previous meetings at Stamford Bridge. However, this is a different Chelsea and a different Brighton. The Seagulls beat the Blues for the only time in 15 league matches in this season's reverse fixture. Can they do it again?

Brighton make three changes from their own defeat by Tottenham. Sanchez returns in goal. Webster and Ferguson also start.

Chelsea make six changes from their midweek defeat. The hosts switch to a 4-3-3. Pulisic and Mudryk flank Sterling, who's scored four goals in his last six league appearances against Brighton.

SUBS: Danny Welbeck, Thomas McGill, Julio Enciso, Facundo Buonanotte, Andrew Moran, Odeluga Offiah, Deniz Undav, Jan-Paul van Hecke, Billy Gilmour.

BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION (4-2-3-1): Robert Sanchez; Joel Veltman, Lewis Dunk (c), Adam Webster, Pervis Estupinan; Pascal Gross, Moises Caicedo; Solly March, Alexis Mac Allister, Kaoru Mitoma; Evan Ferguson.

SUBS: Cesar Azpilicueta, Joao Felix, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mateo Kovacic, Hakim Ziyech, Marc Cucurella, Mason Mount, Reece James, Edouard Mendy.

CHELSEA (4-3-3): Kepa Arrizabalaga (c); Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Ben Chilwell; Conor Gallagher, Enzo Fernandez, Denis Zakaria; Christian Pulisic, Raheem Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk.

Brighton were rightly unhappy to lose away to Tottenham last week despite another bright performance. The Seagulls are in contention for European qualification for a reason, having suffered back-to-back league defeats just once this season. Roberto De Zerbi's men will be confident of bouncing back quickly.

Chelsea's difficult season shows no signs of abating as they were comfortably beaten by Real Madrid in the Champions League in midweek. The Blues have failed to score in each of their last three Premier League games, a trend Frank Lampard needs to change if he wants to stay in post beyond the end of this season.

Welcome to our live text commentary of this Premier League match between Chelsea and Brighton and Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea v Brighton & Hove Albion Live Commentary, 15/04/2023

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