Chelsea’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League are almost gone after a heavy 3–0 defeat away to Brighton. The Blues have now won just one of their last nine matches and have gone a record number of Premier League games without scoring.
Chelsea have been in poor form, losing four league matches in a row without scoring a single goal. In earlier games they at least competed, but that wasn’t the case here. Brighton started quickly and nearly scored within two minutes, before taking the lead from a corner. A defensive mistake allowed Ferdi Kadıoğlu’s shot to deflect into the net.
Brighton kept control and created several chances. Chelsea struggled badly and didn’t manage a single shot on target in the first half, frustrating their travelling fans.
Chelsea finally had a shot early in the second half, but things soon got worse. Brighton scored again on the counter-attack through Jack Hinshelwood. The home side continued to threaten, while Chelsea looked short of ideas.
Brighton wrapped up an easy win when Danny Welbeck scored late on. The result strengthens Brighton’s push for European football, while Chelsea’s problems continue. They have now lost five league matches in a row for the first time since 1993 and haven’t scored in five games for over a century.
Chelsea now face an FA Cup semi-final against Leeds United, but there are growing doubts about whether manager Liam Rosenior will keep his job.
