Chelsea self-destruct in 4-1 defeat to Brighton

The hosts wasted absolutely no time in taking the game to Chelsea, as Leandro Trossard lobbed Kepa Arrizabalaga, only for Thiago Silva to head the ball clear from the goal line. The Blues failed to heed that early warning and were behind within five minutes after a high press allowed Kaoru Mitoma to slip in Trossard, whose close control took him past Kepa to squeeze in the opener. With less than 15 minutes played, a Solly March corner was then inadvertently turned in off the underside of the crossbar by Ruben Loftus-Cheek, giving the visitors a mountain to climb.

Shell-shocked, Chelsea searched for a response but a second own-goal on the stroke of half-time all but sealed the points for the Seagulls. Pervis Estupiñán raced down the left wing before squaring, persuading Trevoh Chalobah to slide in and unwittingly turn the ball past Kepa.

Kai Havertz had scored three goals for Chelsea this season, each coming after the break, and right on cue, the German delivered another. Conor Gallagher whipped in a dangerous ball to the far post after good work from Loftus-Cheek, leaving Havertz to head home and reignite Chelsea hope.

The Blues pushed hard for a second goal, but Brighton held firm, and capped off a dream afternoon with a stoppage-time goal from Pascal Groß to claim a first head-to-head win since 1933 when these sides met for the first time. As for Chelsea, the demoralising defeat leaves them fifth in the Premier League, just three points ahead of Brighton in seventh.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Leandro Trossard (Brighton & Hove Albion)