Mauricio Pochettino opted to separate players rather than celebrate with fans as the final whistle blew in Chelsea’s triumph over Brighton. In a turbulent Premier League encounter, the Blues clinched a 3-2 win, courtesy of Enzo Fernandez’s double and a Levi Colwill header. Despite goals from Facundo Buonanotte and Joao Pedro keeping the Seagulls in contention until the dying minutes, a late penalty awarded for a Colwill handball was rightfully overturned by VAR.
Referee Craig Pawson initially pointed to the spot despite the ball striking Colwill’s face, leading to a contentious decision. Possession was eventually restored to Chelsea, though the incident should have resulted in a corner for Brighton.
The contentious call left Brighton players irate, surrounding the referee at the game’s conclusion. Amid heated exchanges, Chelsea’s staff also engaged as tensions escalated, prompting Pochettino to step in as a mediator. The Argentine coach notably approached Brighton’s Pascal Gross, a key figure in the altercation, in an attempt to restore order.
In a match fraught with emotion, Pochettino’s team grappled with Conor Gallagher’s first-half dismissal. After the dust settled, Pochettino commended his team’s resilience, having played the second half with 10 men, holding onto a 2-1 lead at halftime.
“We deserved the victory,” he remarked. “When you analyse the game we were very competitive. It was an important victory for us because after (the Newcastle defeat) we needed to show a different face, and the team’s response was really good.”
“I told the players at half-time that we had a massive opportunity to show that we are a team. That was how we took the second half. Yes, we talked about the way we needed to play, but the most important thing with one man less was to challenge Brighton.”
Chelsea faces Manchester United at Old Trafford next. For Pochettino, the match carries added significance as he was heavily linked with a move to United before their pursuit of Erik ten Hag.
Chelsea performance and stats
Chelsea is currently 10th in the Premier League with 19 points.
In the last 14 games, it has won 5 times, drawn 4 times, and lost 5 times. In its last match, Chelsea won 3-2 against Brighton & Hove Albion.
It has a positive goal difference after scoring 25 goals and conceding 22.
Chelsea will play the next match in Premier League against Manchester United on Wednesday 6th of December in Manchester. The prediction is Chelsea winning the match.
Brighton & Hove Albion performance and stats
Brighton & Hove Albion is currently 8th in the Premier League with 22 points.
In the last 14 games, it has won 5 times, drawn 5 times, and lost 4 times. In its last match, Brighton & Hove Albion lost 3-2 against Chelsea.
It has a positive goal difference after scoring 30 goals and conceding 26.
Brighton & Hove Albion will play the next match in Premier League against Brentford on Wednesday 6th of December in Falmer. The prediction is Brighton & Hove Albion winning the match.