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“Disappointed on every level” – Lampard slams Chelsea squad for Brighton defeat

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(Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Frank Lampard has slammed his Chelsea players after a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

The Blues extended their losing run as they took on Roberto De Zerbi’s men at Stamford Bridge.

Although the game didn’t go the way the west London side had hoped, they did get off to a positive start. After 13 minutes a deflected effort from Conor Gallagher beat Robert Sanchez, Mykhailo Mudryk provided the assist.

Unfortunately for the hosts, things would go downhill from here. The travelling south coast team begun to take control of the contest and chances started to fall. Kepa Arrizabalaga made some good saves from Kaoru Mitoma and Evan Ferguson as Chelsea looked to hold out until half-time.

They failed to do this though, after coming off the bench in the opening 45, Danny Welbeck was able to nod the visitors back level in the 42nd minute.

READ MORE: Chelsea 1-2 Brighton: Welbeck & Enciso seal comeback to ruin Lampard’s Stamford Bridge return

In the second half, things continued in much the same light, the away side were piling up their attempts on goal and despite Kepa’s best efforts, with just 20 minutes to go the Seagulls found the lead thanks to an incredible strike from Julio Enciso.

The Blues pushed to get a late equaliser, but could not find it and ultimately they did not deserve it either.

Since Lampard took over as interim head coach, Chelsea have suffered three straight defeats, scoring just one goal in that time.

READ MORE: Chelsea make Levi Colwill transfer decision amid Liverpool, Man City & Brighton summer interest

Following the game, the 44-year-old delivered his verdict. He said: “I’m disappointed on every level. The better team won. They could have won by more. They played like a team. They’ve been together a long time.”

Brighton managed 26 shots compared to Chelsea’s eight, they also had 58% of the possession and completely dominated the affair.

Lampard added: “Not good enough. All the basic parts of football – to fight, to run – we were short on. Not a question of commitment as such. We have a big game on Tuesday [against Real Madrid]. There’s no point being too down but we have to understand why today went the way it did.

“As a team we were short today. Where can we get better quickly? For me it’s the football basics.”

With a clash on Tuesday in the Champions League quarter-finals against Real Madrid, the Blues will have to significantly improve if they want to overturn the two goal deficit in the second leg.

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