Graham Potter's unbeaten run as Chelsea head coach was ended as his former club Brighton & Hove Albion defeated the Blues 4-1 in the Premier League on Saturday.
The hosts piled on the pressure in the opening minutes at the Amex Stadium and it took just five minutes for Leandro Trossard to round Kepa Arrizabalaga and put Roberto De Zerbi's side in front.
14 minutes into proceedings, Brighton's lead was doubled when a corner spun in by Solly March deflected off Ruben Loftus-Cheek into the Chelsea goal.
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To round off the first half rout, Trevoh Chalobah also found the back of his own net after a delivery from Pervis Estupinan flicked in off the centre-back.
In the second-half, Chelsea came out much brighter, Kai Havertz headed home from a Conor Gallagher delivery to get the Blues back into the contest.
While the west London side continued to push, it was to no success, Brighton managed to hold off Potter's side.
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For the visitors it got even worse in the closing moments, Pascal Gross latched onto an effort that had been parried away by Mendy to make it four.
Here's how Absolute Chelsea rated the players' performance on the south coast.
Kepa Arrizabalaga - 4/10 (46)
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While he has been in fine form as of late, Kepa was rounded far too easily by Trossard for the opening goal of the game. There was little he could do about the second goal which left him flat footed. A positive to take from the Spaniard's display was his sharpness off the line, he cut out some potentially very dangerous attacks. Was hooked at half-time due to an injury, the Blues will hope it is not too serious.
Trevoh Chalobah - 4/10
Finally the centre-back has had his first taste of defeat in a game he has started for the Blues. Tried his best to deal with Estupinan's delivery into the box but ended up to directing the ball into the goal.
Thiago Silva - 4/10
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The Brazilian made two wonderful goal-line clearances early on, one of which made up for his own mistake, but he did give away possession for the opening goal by Trossard. While the defeat can't be pinned on the defender who usually oozes class, he is capable of much better.
Marc Cucurella - 2/10 (63)
Returning to take on his former club for the first time, it was not a particularly comfortable outing for the defender. He was welcomed by boos from the Brighton fans and did not help himself by putting in a poor performance. March easily got the better of him throughout the first half and he looked lost out there. Was no surprise to see him substituted in the second half.
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Christian Pulisic - 3/10 (79)
Missed a golden opportunity to get Chelsea back into the game 17 minutes in, Conor Gallagher's smothered effort fell to the American but he scuffed his strike from close range wide. Really lacked awareness for Brighton's third goal of the game and does not look a suitable option for the wing-back role. Needs to do so much more if he wants to keep starting for this team.
Conor Gallagher - 6/10 (79)
Following on from an excellent display in midweek against RB Salzburg, the English midfielder was one of the sharper players on the pitch against De Zerbi's side. He sent a superb delivery to find the head of Havertz for the Blues' goal shortly after half-time. Was the best of a bad bunch in this game for the west London outfit.
Mateo Kovacic - 5/10
Scored a wonder goal in midweek in the Champions League and while he did little in the first half, he managed to gain some control of the midfield in the second half. Made some good driving runs and dictated play well, the creative players in front of him though failed to do enough.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek - 5/10
Was too slow to react when March's corner deflected in off his leg to double the hosts advantage in the opening 45. Other than that it was a decent display from the Englishman who will be hoping to give more reasons to Gareth Southgate as to why he is worthy of a spot in the English World Cup side. Perhaps could have had an assist to his name in the closing moments, had Havertz been more clinical.
Raheem Sterling - 2/10 (63)
Growing more and more frustrating to watch each week, nowhere near the level he started this season at. Needs to learn when to release the ball, for the third goal he was far too easily dispossessed and Brighton went onto carve open the Blues. Really poor display from somebody Chelsea expect so much from.
Mason Mount - 4/10
Despite being one of the standout performers following Potter's arrival at Chelsea, there was nothing particularly exciting about the 23-year-old's display today. Was wasteful when going forward, could have easily slipped Havertz in behind in the first half but overhit his pass.
Kai Havertz - 5/10
Took his goal well to start the second half and crafted some openings on his own for the Blues. Did not get much quality service from his teammates throughout the game but late on Loftus-Cheek picked him out and he should of scored a second, unfortunately he blazed the chance over the bar.
Bench
Edouard Mendy - 5/10 (45)
Came on at half-time to replace the injured Kepa to get his first minutes under the new head coach Potter. Distribution still looks to be an issue and there were a couple of nervy moments but there were no major flaws to his performance and made some simple stops.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 5/10 (63)
Had a good strike parried away by Sanchez in the Brighton goal but failed to have the impact on the game he would have hoped.
Ben Chilwell - 5/10 (63)
Came on to help change Chelsea's shape but was not heavily involved.
Hakim Ziyech - 5/10 (79)
Nearly bent a free-kick into the top corner after Sanchez had misjudged it.
Armando Broja - 5/10 (79)
Did not manage to have the influence of the bench he would have hoped for.
Topics: Chelsea, Premier League, Football, Brighton And Hove Albion
Sam Collins