Down to ten again: Chelsea collapse late in defeat to Brighton
Chelsea were reduced to ten men for the second consecutive Premier League match and paid the price, falling to a dramatic 3–1 home defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Enzo Fernández gave the Blues the lead in the 24th minute with a tidy finish, and for much of the first half Enzo Maresca’s side looked in control. But everything changed early in the second half when Trevoh Chalobah was shown a straight red card, leaving Chelsea with ten men for the remainder of the match.
Brighton eventually made the numerical advantage count. They equalised in the 77th minute and then stunned Stamford Bridge with two late goals in stoppage time.
Veteran striker Danny Welbeck — a former England international — proved the hero for the Seagulls, netting a late brace to seal all three points for the visitors.
2025-26, England - Premier League
Chelsea - Brighton 1:3 (1:0)
Goals: Fernandez E., 24 (1:0); Welbeck, 77 (1:1); De Cuyper, 92 (1:2); Welbeck, 100 (1:3)
Chelsea: Sanchez Ro.; Hato; Chalobah (till 53); James R.; Cucurella; Fernandez E.; Andrey Santos (Acheampong J. K., 54); Caicedo M.; Estêvão (Gusto, 63); Pedro Neto; João Pedro
Substitution: Acheampong J. K. (from 54); Gusto (from 63)
Bench: Jörgensen F.; Badiashile B.; Lavia; George; Bynoe-Gittens; Garnacho; Guiu Marc
Yellow Cards: Cucurella 42; James R. 66
Red cards: Chalobah 53'
Brighton: Verbruggen; Veltman (Wieffer, 55); Dunk; van Hecke; Baleba (Gruda, 67); Mitoma (Welbeck, 67); Gomez D.; Ayari; Minteh; Kadioglu; Rutter (De Cuyper, 85)
Substitution: Wieffer (from 55); Gruda (from 67); Welbeck (from 67); De Cuyper (from 85)
Bench: Steele; Boscagli; Coppola; Milner; Tzimas
Yellow Cards: Veltman 9; Wieffer 64
