Chelsea's woes continued as they lost for the third time in a week on Saturday afternoon.
Brighton were the latest side to get the better of them as they left west London with all three points. It leaves the Blues sat in the bottom half with their season meandering to an unspectacular end despite their huge investment across the two transfer windows.
Todd Boehly's expenditure hasn't led to any forward strides with the American under increased pressure to turn things around as he looks for another permanent manager. The Blues chief found himself confronted by fans at Stamford Bridge ahead of the clash with Real Madrid next week.
Frank Lampard will desperately be trying to avoid a fourth successive defeat since his return when Los Blancos come to town. Here's the latest from west London.
Lampard's frank assessment
Lampard did not enjoy his second homecoming on Saturday as the Seagulls came from behind to bag all three points. Results have not gone the way of the interim boss, but it was the performance that most worried him as he confessed this was their worst showing since his return.
He said: “It was the most deserved one. More than defeats, it’s performance we have to talk about. Wins only come with performance and in terms of performance that was the most disappointing because we were well beaten.
“In the basics of football — and it’s a really good Brighton team so we must give them credit, they’re a fantastic team and they can perform like that against pretty much anyone in the league — but we were short, a yard short, a tackle short, a fighting duel moment short, and when that’s not right you’re not going to win games.
“You have to have the capacity to do that as well, as well as the desire and at the minute we’re falling short on that and we have to turn it around quickly."
Record substitutions
Chelsea's difficult season continued on Saturday - and not even the most expensive substitution in history could rescue a result for Lampard's team.
Conor Gallagher's opener looked to have set up an improved showing during Lampard's first home game back, only for Brighton to come from behind to snatch victory through goals from Danny Welbeck and Julio Enciso. In the end, not even an eye-catching quadruple change could rescue the Blues.
With Chelsea level just before the hour mark, Lampard decided to ring the changes. On came Hakim Ziyech, Mateo Kovacic, Reece James and Joao Felix, but it was the identity of those making way which really stood out.
Summer signings Enzo Fernandez, Wesley Fofana and Raheem Sterling all left the field at the same time, along with £57m man Christian Pulisic. The combined value of £281.5m makes this the most expensive substitution in world history, according to The Price of Football.
Boehly's angry fan exchange
Todd Boehly found himself being confronted by Chelsea fans at Stamford Bridge as he saw the Blues lose once again.
The American sat in his usual spot in the director's box but was subjected to criticism from fans who sat above him in west London. Boehly threw his arms out as an angry fan appeared to make his feelings clear as Chelsea's difficult season continued on Saturday afternoon.
Boehly is in his first year at the helm having co-purchased the club from Roman Abramovich, but little has gone to plan despite him spending over £600m on new recruits. He's currently on the lookout for his third permanent manager with Frank Lampard in interim charge until the season ends.
