Written by The Editor
20 May 2024
Brighton 1 Chelsea 2
On to the last away game of the season and the next step in the quest to qualify for European competition next season. After recent years of tangles between the club, players, and fans, it seems this game has become somewhat of a grudge game in the eyes of the seagulls.
Chelsea were looking good on the break in the first half, and Cucurella was judged to have been fouled by the ref before VAR rescinded the decision. And it was Cucurella again who made a great run and cross into the box for Palmer to stoop down and head a looping ball past keeper Verbruggen. This guy can’t do anything wrong, and it underlined the versatility he has within his repertoire of goalscoring.
Brighton also had a few opportunities, but either Petrovic and the defence snuffed them out, or they just missed the frame of the goal.
A nasty incident flashed through the TV screen whereby ex-Chels Lamptey clashed with Mudryk who went down. The video editors did not give any closer up shots, but a wider viewed sequence flash seemingly showed Lamptey shouldering the Ukrainian’s head before hitting the deck. VAR didn’t see any foul, and the Chelsea man had to be concussion substituted. Another one of those decisions that defy logic, bringing the whole process into question.
Again, just a few minutes later, Lamptey was involved at the back post as Jackson met a Badiashile cross which looked like Chelsea had taken a 2-0 lead before the break. But the goal was struck off by the auditors for being offside.
Brighton started to look more threatening at the beginning of the second half, but it was Chelsea who added to their lead. A lovely passage of 29 passes ended with Gusto crossing into Nkunku who elegantly and efficiently slotted in, enabling the French star to perform one of his customary blue balloon celebrations.
Everything was running smoothly before captain and sub James was red-carded for a violent Beckham-esque lash out after himself being fouled.
This changed the direction of the game with Adingra hitting the post before Welbeck scored his first of the season at the Amex stadium. In the end, 1-2 was a close call. Back to the Bridge for the final game against Bournemouth.
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