Chelsea 1-0 Brighton & Hove Albion: Jackson nets for Blues to knock Seagulls out of Carabao Cup

Chelsea advanced to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup as they beat Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Mauricio Pochettino‘s team ended their three game winless streak as they played host to and defeated Roberto De Zerbi’s side.

On a Wednesday night that saw nine Carabao Cup fixtures contested, Chelsea were looking to pick up another win in the competition after defeating AFC Wimbedon last time round. It was a positive start from the home side, early link up between Cole Palmer and Ian Maatsen earned a Blues corner to set the tempo.

The first shot on target of the game came from Mykahilo Mudryk, an effort from distance was comfortably dealt with by Bart Verbruggen. In response, the visitors countered, some tricky play down the left-hand side from Kaoru Mitoma caused the Blues’ defence problems, but it amounted to nothing.

In the 13th minute, there was an important intervention from Igor Julio, Nicolas Jackson had found himself in a very good position, but the Brazilian defender was back to sweep behind for another corner.

Despite the bright play early on from the hosts, which largely involved Mudryk and Palmer, the visitors did begin to grow into it, they started to have more control of the possession. There was then a huge let off for Chelsea and Robert Sanchez, a misplaced pass fell straight to Joao Pedro, but the forward somehow missed, chipping the ball just over the bar.

Soon after, Sanchez did make a good save to deny Ansu Fati after another mix up in defence, Moises Caicedo was dispossessed on the edge of the box, but the Spaniard was able prevent an opening goal. Although the former Brighton keeper kept that one out, he continued to look shaky as the half continued, the Seagulls sensed a chance whenever he had the ball at his feet and Sanchez struggled with his kicking as a result.

There were calls for a penalty from the home fans when Mudryk went darting through the defence and was brought down by Tariq Lamptey, but no penalty was awarded. While there is no VAR to check the decision at this stage of the competition, replays showed the Blues’ academy graduate cleanly got the ball.

One player who did not cleanly get the ball was Lesley Ugochukwu, after receiving a yellow card moments before, the Frenchman steamed into another challenge, he followed through and connected with the ankle of Carlos Baleba, but no foul was given. A lucky escape for the 19-year-old.

Just before the half-time break, Mudryk and Palmer linked up again, the Ukrainian’s delivery from the left-hand side found the 21-year-old, but he could not direct his effort on target, meaning the two sides went into the interval level.

Brighton came out the gates quickly in the second half, Mitoma forced an early corner and there was an opportunity for Mahmoud Dahoud, he did not connect cleanly with the ball though and his shot was blocked.

The west Londoners responded extremely well, a crafty pass from Palmer handed Jackson a golden opportunity in the 50th minute, and the Senegalese striker made no mistake, a low strike into the bottom corner left the goalkeeper flat-footed and fired the Blues into the lead. Chelsea’s first goal in over 350 minutes of football.

Another big chance fell the way of Jackson soon after, some excellent battling from Mudryk in the middle of the park sent the forward through on goal, but Verbruggen’s left boot denied him his second goal of the night.

In the 66th minute, Mudryk was replaced by Raheem Sterling, there was plenty of appreciation shown by the home fans for the 22-year-old who has become a regular starter in recent weeks.

As the midway point of the second 45 passed, Chelsea were looking to double their lead and they thought they had done so when Jackson thumped the ball into the net, the goal however was ruled out due to an offside, which looked extremely tight.

This was followed by a tidy move from the away side, substitute Solly March was picked out from a good delivery and he directed a powerful diving header towards Sancehz, but the Chelsea goalkeeper made a good save to keep it out.

As the visitors continued to press for an equaliser, Chelsea made another substitution, Armando Broja was introduced for Jackson, both players received huge cheers and Jackson soaked in the support from the home fans as he slowly made his way around the pitch.

With the final whistle drawing closer, there was a late opening for Pervis Estupinan, after being sent in behind the Blues defence, the Ecuadorian defender’s effort went right across the face of goal and out for a throw in.

The chances continued to fall for the away side, after Billy Gilmour was judged to have nabbed the ball off of Ben Chilwell fairly, the Seagulls broke away, but the opportunity they had crafted was blazed over the bar by Pedro.

Even with all the late chances, Brighton failed to score and Chelsea held on to the victory, putting their name in the draw for the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.