Chelsea ratings vs Brighton: Malo Gusto in disaster cameo as ten-man Blues crumble | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca’s defensive selection crisis grows worse still as Trevoh Chalobah faces a suspension

Your matchday briefing on Chelsea, featuring team news and expert analysis from Dom Smith

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Chelsea suffered their third defeat in four games as Brighton came from behind to win 3-1 at Stamford Bridge.

With Cole Palmer missing, Chelsea made the perfect start when Reece James crossed for Enzo Fernandez to head home the opener.

But their centre-back shortage got worse when Trevoh Chalobah was sent off for the denial of a goalscoring opportunity, meaning he is suspended for next weekend against Liverpool.

Brighton grew in confidence and Danny Welbeck scored the equaliser, before Maxim De Cuyper came off the bench to score what might have been the winner - but then Welbeck scored again.

Dom Smith was at Stamford Bridge to rate the Chelsea players’ performances…

Robert Sanchez 5

Never had a huge save to make, but collected crosses far more effectively than Filip Jorgensen did against Lincoln on Tuesday. Conceded three times.

Reece James 7

Some last-ditch tackles for Chelsea mean the late collapse was not his fault, and it was his ball which allowed Fernandez to head home the opener. Defended superbly throughout. Not his fault.

Trevoh Chalobah 4

Got himself sent off with a last-man challenge and the denial of a goalscoring opportunity. Will miss the Liverpool game next weekend.

Jorrel Hato 6

Good performance by the Dutchman, who passed well and jockeyed Brighton’s slippery attackers when he needed to. Boded well, as he could well be needed again versus Benfica and Liverpool.

Marc Cucurella 5

Defensively dealt well with the threat of Yankuba Minteh. Received a booking for a late challenge on a coming-together.

Moises Caicedo 5

No lack of fight in midfield as he faced his former team, winning tackles and trying to keep Chelsea moving from midfield.

Andrey Santos 5

He started brightly but did fade and gave the ball away in the lead-up to Chalobah’s red card. Was subbed off after that.

Estevao 6

If he had released the ball earlier on some of his dribbles forward he would have received a 7/10 or maybe even 8/10. Some lovely runs with the ball.

Enzo Fernandez 6

Many fans wanted him benched for this match, but he responded as all top players do, with a good performance. Scored a goal that could have been huge, if Chelsea had made it count.

Pedro Neto 5

Had some joy down the left, less so down the right. Used his pace well. Subbed off.

Joao Pedro 5

Carried the ball forward against the club he left for up to £60million midway through Chelsea’s Club World Cup campaign. No chances to add to his goal tally for the season, but some good footwork.

Subs:

Josh Acheampong (Santos, 54’) 5

Stopped Minteh getting away down the right but then completely lost Welbeck for the equalising goal.

Malo Gusto (Estevao, 63’) 2

Came on but slowed Chelsea down too much. Was once let free down the right but rather than bombing forward with the ball he cut back. Almost gave away a late penalty. Really not a good cameo.

Benoit Badiashile (Hato, 79’) N/A

Romeo Lavia (Neto, 79’) N/A

Not used: Jorgensen, Gittens, George, Guiu, Garnacho