Graham Potter did the tricky part well at Chelsea but is so far experiencing quite a come-down. After beating AC Milan home and away to help ensure Champions League qualification the Blues have just two points from their last three Premier League matches.
Albeit the European turnaround was perhaps the most pressing area to address, if anybody thought there was a quick fix for the issues at Chelsea then the first half against Brighton should be enough to persuade them otherwise. Potter's plan was foiled against Roberto De Zerbi, yes, but how the 47-year-old bypasses injuries to three starting defenders and one of the most unique midfield players in the world is not an easily solvable question.
Having tried to attack his way out, using just three defenders and one playing out of his depth at centre-back, Potter may now need to revert to a different means of approach in order to bring about results. He is by all means a flexible and forward-thinking coach, but so was Thomas Tuchel. The job does strange things to you.
READ MORE: Four things learned as Graham Potter falls to first Chelsea defeat versus Brighton
Chelsea now have just four matches left in the lung-busting run of fixtures before the winter World Cup but that doesn't make the final two weeks any easier. Here, football.london takes a look at what is left for the Blues and how it compares to the top four competitors.
Dinamo Zagreb (H) - November 2
This is effectively a dead rubber. Zagreb haven't won in Europe since shocking Chelsea on the opening night of the group stage and have just one point from their last four matches. They could still qualify for the Europa League with a win, but for Potter top spot is secured already.
Ahead of some tricky tasks, this may be one that sees a fair deal of rotation and experimentation.
Arsenal (H) - November 6
After a game that can't offer much tangible reward, Potter will be happy to be back at Stamford Bridge after a run of five away games in six.
There will be no let up though as high-flying Arsenal visit Stamford Bridge having not lost there since 2018. The Gunners are one of the form teams in the table and despite having a poor week, still look full of confidence. Potter will need to be ready for his first home London derby as a loss could set them further back in the league. A win could catapult the season though.
Man City (A) - November 9
One of the most frustrating fixtures on the calendar, just three days before the World Cup break players will have to be prepared for a huge Carabao Cup test.
With the league and World Cup arguably much more important here it wouldn't be a surprise to see a heavily rotated side from both managers. Had it not been for drawing Manchester City this might have been a good opportunity to rest players ahead of a trip to Newcastle, as it is, an away trip before another long journey north is exactly what Chelsea didn't need at this stage.
Newcastle (A) - November 12
The final game before the break and it could be a cracker, it could also be mightily important. At the time of writing, Newcastle have still lost just one league game. Eddie Howe's men have scored more and conceded less than Chelsea, albeit in one extra game, but are certainly on the up.
Having already taken points from Tottenham and Manchester City, the Blues know they will be in for a huge test in the north east, and it could have unexpected Champions League consequences too.
Arsenal's next five fixtures:
Nottingham Forest (H) - October 30
FC Zurich (H) - November 3
Chelsea (A) - November 6
Brighton (H) - November 9
Wolves (A) - November 12
Tottenham's next four fixtures:
Marseille (A) - November 1
Liverpool (H) - November 6
Nottingham Forest (A) - November 9
Leeds (H) - November 12
Manchester City's next four fixtures:
Sevilla (H) - November 2
Fulham (H) - November 5
Chelsea (H) - November 9
Brentford (H) - November 12
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