Chelsea slipped to a 4-1 defeat at Brighton as Graham Potter was mercilessly booed by his former fans on Saturday – and got more than one tactical decision very wrong.
The Blues looked out of sorts to say the very least as they lost for the first time since Potter replaced Thomas Tuchel last month – scoring two own goals through Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Trevoh Chalobah after Leandro Trossard’s opener.
Having seen the first-half performance of Marc Cucurella, Potter might well have regretted handing the Spaniard, who has had a tricky start to life at Stamford Bridge, a start.
The defender was brutally booed by the home support who didn’t like the way he left the club – and suffered at the hands of Solly March in the opening stages.
Not only did Brighton work their way through the Chelsea defence, but their tireless work both on and off the ball made Potter’s men look silly.
Despite not winning a game under their new boss going into the Premier League clash, Brighton looked a side reborn and full of desire.
It might well have been the boos for Potter and Cucurella that gave the hosts even more reason to grab all three points – which could be a turning point for the season.
With Conor Gallagher and Christian Pulisic among those to miss gilt-edged chances, Raheem Sterling looked well off the pace as Brighton cruised.
Although Sterling looked lively under Thomas Tuchel on arriving at Chelsea from City, Potter looks bemused over how to get the best out of him.
The form of the forward will be a worry for both club and country on the eve of the World Cup, with Potter failing in his task to help him thrive.
Sterling has been a key player for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions over the past two major tournaments – but needs to find form fast to guarantee a starting spot.
