Double Chelsea apology has to be actioned vs Brighton amid ‘angry and disappointed’ Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino will be demanding an instant response from his Chelsea side against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea returned from the international break following a run of three games unbeaten in all competitions to be the subject of a 4-1 thrashing by Newcastle United at St. James’ Park.

Despite Raheem Sterling levelling the game in the first-half with a free-kick, Chelsea capitulated in the second half. A Thiago Silva defensive howler and Reece James red card saw Eddie Howe’s men take control and put the Blues out of sight to dampen the mood inside Pochettino’s dressing room.

Both Silva and James, who is Chelsea captain, quickly apologised after the dismal defeat in the north east.

“I’m devastated,” wrote Silva following the defeat. “It wasn’t a good day for us. I would like to apologise to everyone for the defeat, especially to my teammates who believe in me and support me every day. I take full responsibility. Let’s gather strength and come back stronger.”

Meanwhile, James wrote on Instagram: “I take full responsibility for my red card today, two silly mistakes. Another lesson for me to learn. I’d like to apologise to the fans and my teammates.

“The performance today was far below our standards but this game does not define us! We’ve made huge improvements this season against many top teams. We’ll be back next weekend.”

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who watched from the stands due to being suspended for one-match, was furious in his post-match press conference.

“I am not talking about mistakes (like Thiago Silva’s). I am talking more about energy, we were not in the right… we were not prepared in the best way to compete today. That is my concern. We thought we were ready to compete today but we didn’t in the way the competition demanded.

“Even if Newcastle wasn’t great, it was an easy win. To come here, Chelsea, and show it would be difficult for them to play to win the game and beat us. It was so easy the way that we conceded. the way we were soft in every single challenge, we did not show we were playing for something important.

“That is why it made me angry and disappointed. Even if we talk about being a young team, we need to learn. These types of games make me very, very, very, very, very angry because it is about showing more personality and character.”

Chelsea host Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge this week. Roberto De Zerbi’s side have come to increasingly dislike the Blues following the attempts of the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital ownership to gut out the Seagulls’ playing and non-playing staff over the course of the last 18 months. Albeit, Brighton don’t seem to have been too negatively affected on the pitch.

Brighton are six games unbeaten in all competitions heading into Sunday’s clash and although James is suspended, therefore not being able to correct his mistakes of last weekend immediately, Chelsea have to ensure they put a performance out for their fans at home to quickly put the damning Newcastle defeat behind them as they head into the busy festive period.