Frank Lampard Slams Chelsea's 'Lack of 'Fight' in The 2-1 Defeat At Home To Brighton.

It was another game and another disappointing result for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon, as they blew an early lead to lost 2-1 to an impressive Brighton side in the Premier League.

Caretaker boss Frank Lampard made his return to the ground he called home for 13 years as a player since his appointment as interim boss only to see his name plastered across the stands with a message of "Welcome home, Super Frank", but ultimately could do little to lift the spirits of the fans.

Chelsea have lost all three games since Lampard's return, losing to Wolves 1-0 last weekend, 2-0 to Real Madrid in midweek, and now Brighton.

13 minutes into the encounter, Chelsea did manage to find a goal having not scored in a match since they drew with Everton ahead of the international break as Conor Gallagher found the net via a Lewis Dunk deflection. 

But the Blues were outplayed by Roberto De Zerbi's well-organised and instructed side, the Seagulls finally drew level through Danny Welbeck who had replaced the injured Evan Ferguson just three minutes before half time.

Chelsea continued to struggle with Brighton’s attacking play in the second half, as the visitors piled more pressure which later paid off when they took the lead in the 69th minute through a stunning finish from 19-year-old Julio Enisco, who came on in the first half for the injured Joel Veltman. 

Brighton were well on top and had as many as 26 shots at Chelsea's goal (the most on record since 2003/04 against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, per Opta).

The hosts managed only eight shots and two of those were on target. The visitors had almost 60 percent of the ball possession as well, as they secured all vital three points with a 2-1 win.

The result means Brighton have earned their first ever league win at Stamford Bridge.

They have lost just once in their last nine games, and moved one point behind Aston Villa in sixth place, having played two games less, while Chelsea who have now lost their last five games in all competitions, 12th of the Premier League season and they have only won just ten times.

The Blues remain in 11th position on the Premier League table after 31 matches.

With no game at the weekend, Chelsea could find themselves 13th by the next time they play their next Premier League game, should Crystal Palace and Wolves each win their two matches in the meantime.

Speaking after the game, Frank Lampard slams his team's 'lack of fight', and revealed with a degree of frustration that the defeat was one of the most disappointing performance of the three games since his return.

"Disappointing on every level," he told Sky Sports. "The better team won and could have won by more. They played like a team. They're working together for a long time, give that credit.

"But it's not good enough from our point of view. All the basic parts of football -- to fight, to run, and those things -- we were short on. We have to dig ourselves out of that very quickly.

"We've got a big game on Tuesday. There's no point in being too down, but professionally we have to understand why today went the way it did. And it wasn't good for us."

 

On the hand, Brighton's coach Roberto De Zerbi, who took over the Seagulls when Potter departed the Amex stadium for his short and fruitless stint at Chelsea and is now on course to guide the team into Europe next season for the first time, praised the way his players dominated the Blues.

"I have to first say thanks to Graham Potter because I found a very great and strong team and I am now trying to give my idea," he said.

 "It's an amazing day for us. The result, the performance. This game gives more energy, more confidence, more enthusiasm to finish the season in the best way. Now we have to prepare for the semi-final. We'd like to play the final. To do that we'll have to win."

The Italian said he believed his side could book a place in the FA Cup final by beating Manchester United in next weekend's semi-final of the knockout competition.

"It will be another difficult game, it's another big team. Man United I think are one of the best teams in the Premier League but I think we are able to win and I think able to fight," he said.

In what already looks like being a barren first full season under Chelsea's new American owners, despite their huge spendings on new players, the Blues would have to stage a miraculous comeback from a 2-0 defeat in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against current European and LaLiga champions Real Madrid .

They will likely be praying to avoid another utter humiliation at the Bridge when Los Blancos arrive on Tuesday for the return leg.