By Gharny Yeku
Graham Potter endured a bogey return to Amex Stadium as Brighton thrashed Chelsea to claim a first victory under their new manager Roberto de Zerbi.
Chelsea, a giant club that had never lost to Brighton, was beaten in a league meeting for the first time in the club’s history.
In an explosive opening, Leandro Trossard’s calm finish put the home side in front after Thiago Silva – who had produced two goal-line clearances to deny the Seagulls.
Two successive own-goals from Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Trevor Chalobah past Kepa Arrizabalaga extended Brighton’s lead before the break.
Kai Havertz 47th minutes headed goal from Conor Gallagher’s assist give the visitors faint hope of come back, but a second-half Chelsea recovery failed to materialise.
Pascal Gross completed a miserable afternoon for blues with a close-range finish after Edouard Mendy – who replaced the injured Kepa at half-time can only parried Julio Enciso’s shot into the German’s way.
Potter will take some comfort from his side’s improvement in the second half, the damage was done before half-time.
The win move Brighton up to seventh, while Chelsea stays fifth and handed Graham Potter his first Chelsea loss in as many matches since he took over the team.
