What a difference a week makes for Brighton and their manager, Fabian Hürzeler. Just days after suffering a humiliating 7-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, the Seagulls produced a spirited comeback to secure a crucial home victory against a lackluster Chelsea side.
Despite a nightmare start in which goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen spilled Cole Palmer’s cross into his own net, Brighton responded with intensity. Record signing Georgino Rutter leveled the score with a well-placed header from Joel Veltman’s delivery, setting the tone for a determined performance. The breakthrough came in the second half when Kaoru Mitoma showcased his composure, chesting the ball into his path before flicking it over Robert Sánchez to send the home crowd into raptures.
Hürzeler had called for more intensity after the Forest debacle, and his side delivered. He made notable changes to the starting lineup, bringing back midfield anchor Carlos Baleba, though João Pedro remained on the bench despite a recent dip in form.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, on the other hand, fielded a mixed lineup, making six changes from their previous match. Christopher Nkunku started up front, but the visitors struggled to assert themselves. The animosity from Brighton fans toward their former players—Moisés Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, and Robert Sánchez—was evident, with all three receiving loud jeers throughout the match.
The game started disastrously for Brighton when Verbruggen’s mishandling of Palmer’s volley gifted Chelsea an early lead. However, Rutter’s quick response, guiding a precise header into the bottom corner, shifted momentum in Brighton’s favor. From then on, Chelsea found themselves under increasing pressure, with Dewsbury-Hall picking up a booking for a reckless challenge on Mitoma.
The match had its share of heated moments, including a flashpoint when Veltman forcefully shoved Cucurella to the ground, earning a yellow card to the delight of the home supporters. Chelsea had opportunities to reclaim the lead, but Nkunku hesitated when through on goal, and Palmer’s looping header missed the target. At the other end, Cucurella was called into defensive action, clearing a dangerous cutback from Rutter after a surging run down the left.
Brighton captain Lewis Dunk was substituted at halftime after picking up a knock, but his side continued to push forward. Their persistence paid off when Baleba’s brilliant turn and pass released Yankuba Minteh down the right. A deflected shot from Tariq Lamptey found its way to Rutter, who instinctively teed up Mitoma for the winning goal.
Maresca introduced Enzo Fernández in search of an equalizer, but the Argentine midfielder’s first effort sailed off target. Tempers flared once again when Caicedo was booked for a reckless challenge on Lamptey, earning loud jeers from Brighton fans. The home side could have extended their lead when Pedro went down under Cucurella’s challenge inside the box, but referee Jarred Gillett dismissed penalty appeals.
With this victory, Brighton ended a three-month winless run at the Amex and provided Hürzeler with a moment of redemption. Chelsea, meanwhile, extended their winless streak away from home to five matches, raising further questions about their inconsistency on the road.
