Maresca Explains Chelsea’s Defeat to Brighton, Points to Chalobah’s Red Card

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has explained why his side suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Brighton in Saturday’s Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues looked lively in the opening stages, with Enzo Fernandez pulling one back after Danny Welbeck’s opener. However, the game’s turning point came early in the second half when Trevoh Chalobah was sent off, leaving Chelsea to play with 10 men. Brighton seized the advantage, with Maxim De Cuyper striking to seal the victory for the visitors.

Reflecting on the match, Maresca admitted his side lost control after the red card.

“Today in the first half we were in control of the game, creating chances, we didn’t concede anything, and in the second half after five or six minutes, because of our mistake, we were with 10 players and again unfortunately the game changed,” the Italian coach said.

Chelsea will now quickly shift focus to their Champions League tie against Benfica on Tuesday, a game they must win to restore confidence.

Opinion:
Chelsea’s loss to Brighton once again highlights a worrying trend—dominance without efficiency. The Blues looked promising in the first half, but as has been the story too often this season, one costly moment unraveled everything. Chalobah’s dismissal was undeniably pivotal, yet top teams are often judged by how they respond under pressure.

Brighton, resilient and ruthless, capitalized on Chelsea’s vulnerability, showing exactly what it means to turn small openings into big results. For Maresca, the challenge now isn’t just about tactics—it’s about instilling mental toughness in his squad.

As they prepare for Benfica, Chelsea fans will hope the setback against Brighton serves as a lesson: possession and promise mean little without composure and clinical finishing. Football, after all, is rarely about who starts stronger, but about who finishes smarter.