Nicely earlier than halftime, Brighton supporters have been already taunting the supervisor they as soon as adored with chants of “You’re getting sacked within the morning.”
Graham Potter could not have to fret about being fired simply but, however his return to Brighton created the closest factor to a disaster he has skilled in his fledgling Chelsea reign.
Brighton beat Chelsea 4-1 within the English Premier League on Saturday handy Potter his first loss since leaving the south-coast membership to take over the Blues in September. After a powerful begin beneath Potter, Chelsea has dropped factors in three straight league video games following attracts towards Brentford and Manchester United.
And the worst half for Chelsea was that the scoreline wasn’t in any respect deceptive.
Brighton was 2-0 up after 14 minutes and added the third earlier than halftime, having regarded extra assured and impressive than the guests who noticed ahead Christian Pulisic miss their greatest probability when he in some way shot extensive with the objective gaping after a rebound. Kai Havertz pulled one again for Chelsea early within the second half however Pascal Gross completed off the scoring in harm time for the hosts.
“The environment was actually intense right here, and we didn’t essentially match that stage of depth from the beginning,” Potter stated. “Clearly, Brighton have been higher at what they did, so we have now to take that as a lesson – though it’s a painful one for us.”
Brighton has taken simply two factors from a attainable 15 since Potter’s departure however earned a primary win beneath new coach Roberto De Zerbi — and the membership’s first over Chelsea since 1933.
The loss means Chelsea dropped eight factors behind Manchester Metropolis, which took the in a single day lead within the standings by beating Leicester 1-0 away due to an inch-perfect free kick from Kevin De Bruyne within the second half.
Arsenal can reclaim prime spot on Sunday by beating last-placed Nottingham Forest at residence.
Metropolis was with out star striker Erling Haaland for the primary time due to an ankle downside however De Bruyne made certain that did not matter when he curled in a set-piece from 25 yards that dipped beneath the crossbar and in by way of the submit within the forty ninth minute.
Tottenham got here from two objectives down within the second half to beat Bournemouth 3-2 and halt a run of two straight league losses, whereas resurgent Newcastle — which beat Spurs within the earlier spherical — has gained 5 of its final six after routing Aston Villa 4-0 at residence.
Tottenham’s comeback meant it stayed in third place, two factors forward of fourth-placed Newcastle.
After Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez went off with a concussion within the first half — having initially tried to play on regardless of trying groggy following a collision — Callum Wilson scored two for Newcastle and Joelinton and Miguel Almiron added one every.
Crystal Palace beat Southampton 1-0 at residence for a 3rd straight win whereas Brentford settled for 1-1 towards Wolverhampton. Wolves striker Diego Costa was despatched off for a headbutt deep into harm time.
Fulham hosted Everton late, and Liverpool welcomed struggling Leeds to Anfield in a night kickoff.
SPURS COMPLETE COMEBACK
Antonio Conte was livid after his workforce was denied a late winner by VAR within the Champions League in midweek, however there was no stopping the Tottenham celebrations this time.
Substitute Rodrigo Bentancur scored deep in stoppage time to finish the comeback for Spurs after Kieffer Moore’s double put Bournemouth right into a two-goal lead. Ryan Sessegnon began the comeback within the 57th minute and Ben Davies leveled following a nook.
“It was important to win this recreation,” Conte stated. “Any such win for us may help us to have extra confidence and to belief way more in ourselves.”
DE BRUYNE SHINES
Metropolis supervisor Pep Guardiola publicly challenged De Bruyne just lately to boost his stage even greater for the membership. The standard of the free kick the Belgium playmaker produced to beat Leicester was definitely prime class.
“He’s again,” Guardiola stated of De Bruyne. “He was not taking part in good within the final video games. (In the present day he was) superb. He is aware of it.”
Guardiola stated Haaland will nearly definitely be rested for the Champions League recreation towards Sevilla however may very well be again for subsequent weekend’s match towards Fulham.