Chelsea’s 122-year record breaking Brighton defeat highlighted as Potter praised despite Blues sacking

Chelsea created history for all of the wrong reasons during their defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League.

Brighton sealed a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge thanks to goals from Danny Welbeck and Julio Enciso either side of the break in the capital. Welbeck headed in from close range, while Enciso found the top corner from distance.

Chelsea took the lead in the 13th minute through Conor Gallagher’s deflected effort but Brighton’s dominance told and the scoreline flattered Frank Lampard’s side in the end, which the caretaker boss even admitted post-match.

“(It’s) difficult because the scoreline doesn’t flatter them, they could have scored more goals,” the 44-year-old told BBC Sport. “(Brighton) are a very good team first and foremost, they have been working together for a long time and now with the coach and the ideas and the energy and the connection within the team is so good and that’s why they are where they are and we’re not that.

It was Lampard’s third defeat from as many games since being appointed as Chelsea’s caretaker manager until the end of the season.

The end of the season can’t come quick enough and the statistics didn’t shy away from how bad things have got for the Blues. New lows have been found throughout the season and they created more unwanted history following their defeat to Brighton.

As confirmed by Squawka, for the first time in the club’s 122-year history, Brighton have won a Football League game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

Roberto De Zerbi’s men sealed the Premier League double over Chelsea this season, outclassing them both home and away, continuing their march towards European qualification for next season.

The Brighton boss was appointed to succeed Graham Potter, who left for Chelsea and only lasted less than seven months in charge at Stamford Bridge before being dismissed earlier this month following a torrid run of form and performances.

But De Zerbi was quick to credit the 47-year-old for his impact at Brighton and making his job slightly easier down on the south coast, which has seen the Seagulls thrive this term.

He said post-match: “I have to say thanks to Graham Potter because I found a very great and strong team and I am now trying to give my idea.”

The games don’t get easier for Chelsea. Real Madrid await in the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday night at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues currently 2-0 down on aggregate after defeat in Spain earlier this week.

Mykhailo Mudryk issued a rallying message of motivation to his teammates ahead of the European clash, saying: “We are already thinking about the next game, the Champions League. It is a big opportunity for us and we should all show our best.”