Chelsea got their fourth consecutive win in the EPL, as they scraped a win over Brighton, despite an 88-minute red card scare and VAR controversy. Goals from Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku had put the visitors in control at the Amex stadium but it was a shaky finale for Mauricio Pochettino’s boys after skipper James kicked out at Joao Pedro and was sent off following a VAR check with two minutes of normal time remaining. Brighton could not add to Danny Welbeck’s close-range finish seven minutes into injury time, though.
A sixth-placed finish will earn Chelsea Europa League football, should Man City win the FA Cup, or a UEFA Conference League spot, if Man Utd beat their rivals at Wembley. There is yet hope of stealing fifth off London rivals Tottenham, should Spurs surprisingly slip up at Sheffield United on the final day.
But regardless of what happens elsewhere, Chelsea supporters will be buoyed by their side’s run of four straight victories, with their traveling fanbase able to celebrate back-to-back away wins for the first time in 2024.
There were plenty more talking points on the south coast, with VAR in focus just hours after it was revealed Premier League clubs will vote on scrapping the system for next season. VAR Peter Bankes advised referee Michael Salisbury to check the pitchside monitor for James’ obvious sending off and there were other high-profile calls from the officials in Stockley Park in the first half. Bankes also rightly advised the ref to overturn his decision to hand Chelsea a penalty for Facundo Buonanotte’s good tackle on Marc Cucurella – but let off Tariq Lamptey for taking out Mykhailo Mudryk. Bankes said there was no conclusive evidence of violent conduct from Lamptey. Mudryk was forced out of the game with a concussion.
There was also a header from Nicolas Jackson ruled out in that first half but those calls ultimately did not prevent Chelsea from continuing their strong finish to the campaign. Brighton mounted a big push at the end of this contest, with Simon Adingra hitting a post before Welbeck pulled one back. It was the second time they’d hit the woodwork, after Joao Pedro’s header against the bar on the stroke of half time. But once again Brighton lacked precision in the final third. It is now 15 games since they scored more than once in a match. A third defeat of the season to Chelsea leaves their hopes of a top-half finish under threat on the final day.
Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi had this to say
“We played a very good second half and second part of the first half. We suffered in the first 20 minutes because our pressure wasn’t how we prepared in the last few days. But after that, I think we played a good game.”We could score to make it 1-1 before conceding the second goal but we gave our best and we have the last game to reach the top-10 position.”It has been a very tough season. I don’t want to make excuses. But for our level of club playing without great players for us is tough.
We’ve lost too many points at home, especially in the first part of the season, and we’ve paid for that.”On Lewis Dunk’s injury: “We have to see, for the last game I hope it’s not a problem.”On VAR: “I think it was a clear penalty today [for Adingra]. The problem is not VAR, the problem is the level of the referee. Today I didn’t like the performance of the referee. But I make more mistakes than the referee.”On Reece James’s read: “I’m sorry for him. He lost much time through injuries. It could be a red card but I don’t like this situation for my players or the opponent as well.”
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino had this to say after the win
“Full credit to the players, they fully deserved the victory. It allows us to dream of playing in Europe next season.”We need to keep our mentality to win. The most important is the belief and the performance. The performances and results are really good. I think the performances from the beginning were good but the result didn’t match.”We dominated from the beginning of the game, against a team that’s not easy to play. We’re so proud, so happy. The evolution of the team is there.”On VAR calls and the use of VAR in the future: “We cannot complain, in the end, we get three points. We need to move on and see if next season we can improve the way we use VAR. It’s not VAR out yes or no, it’s about improving the way we use it.”
Grab your popcorn it all goes down to the grand finale of matchday 38
