Potter truth becomes clear
Chelsea travelled to Brighton off the back of a nine-game unbeaten run and after producing some of their best football under Graham Potter in the midweek victory over Red Bull Salzburg. It felt like momentum was building under the 47-year-old coach, who replaced Thomas Tuchel at the helm at Stamford Bridge last month.
Yet Potter's message has been consistent throughout his tenure: time and patience are required. Supporters got a big reminder as to why at the Amex Stadium. Within five minutes, it was clear Chelsea were not ready to match the home side's intensity. And unusually, mistakes from Thiago Silva gave the Seagulls the platform to dominate the opening period.
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The Brazilian gifted possession to Brighton on the edge of the Chelsea box and had to quickly scamper back to head the ball off his own goalline. Silva repeated the trick from the resultant corner as the 38-year-old glanced wide a shot from Pervis Estupinan that was heading into the far corner.
Momentum had been seized by Brighton, however, and the Seagulls capitalised on another Silva error to open the scoring. The centre-back played a poor pass that was intercepted by Leandro Trossard, and the ball was eventually worked back to the Belgian. He rounded Kepa and fired past the covering Trevoh Chalobah and Marc Cucurella on the line.
Brighton's second came via an own goal from Ruben Loftus-Cheek; the academy graduate deflected a corner beyond Kepa. Frustratingly, it was then Chelsea played some of their best football and chances were created for Conor Gallagher and Christian Pulisic. Neither took the opportunities that came their way.
And just before half-time, Brighton added a third as Estupinan delivered a low pass into the penalty area, and Chalobah diverted the ball into his own net.
Potter changed things up at the interval, although it was too little too late. Chelsea shifted to a 4-3-3 shape, and Edouard Mendy replaced the injured Kepa. Kai Havertz did score a header after a lovely Gallagher cross, but there was no dramatic comeback, and Pascal Gross added a fourth for the Seagulls late on.
It was a tough first defeat as Chelsea head coach for Potter to stomach – and many within the Blues fanbase vented their frustration, either on the journey home or via social media. But the message from the Blues head coach remained the same: "As I said to the players, if you lose, you have to look at it, and if you've made a mistake or got things wrong, you have to analyse it and do better.
"That is part of our job, part of the process, and if we've got that wrong, I have to take responsibility and do better. I'd rather look at it from that perspective."
Potter added: "It's the Premier League, and everywhere is difficult. Brighton are a good side, I know that. And with the crowd and atmosphere they created, they put us under pressure. We made a couple of unforced errors to start everything off a little, but that can happen. As I said, I'm not going to throw the players under the bus because they've been brilliant for us and given everything for me."
Sterling struggling to rise
Across his ten games in charge, Potter has heavily rotated his starting XI. But Raheem Sterling has largely been included in the side; the England international has started eight times as either part of the frontline or as a very attacking wing-back.
It was the latter role the 27-year-old – signed from Manchester City in the summer for a touch under £50million – was utilised against Brighton, at least for the first half. Yet Sterling struggled to impact the game. Too often, he eased off the ball or saw attempted dribbles into the penalty area halted.
His passing, barring one neat ball through for Gallagher, was erratic too. Per WhoScored, only half of Sterling's 24 attempted passes found a teammate. He also failed to complete a single defensive action (tackle or interception).
Pulisic struggled on the opposite flank too, although the American did pose more of a threat as he broke into the penalty area and should've scored after seeing Robert Sanchez deny Gallagher from close range. It was clear, though, the decision to use out-and-out wingers as wing-backs didn't pay off at the Amex, something Potter accepted.
"The responsibility for those two wasn't to defend against their wing-backs," he said "But I understand that whenever you do something, and it doesn't work, you look a bit of a fool. That is how it is. I have to accept that, deal with that, do better, and I'll learn. That's the process."
De Bruyne warning rings true
Prior to the contest at the Amex Stadium getting underway yesterday afternoon, champions Manchester City were able to overcome Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. Pep Guardiola's side were not at their best – and were also missing Erling Haaland – but managed to secure a 1-0 victory courtesy of a stunning free-kick from Kevin De Bruyne.
The Belgian has been in sumptuous form in recent weeks but did admit he and his teammates were feeling the strain after an intense run of fixtures in October in both the Premier League and Champions League. "We made it difficult for ourselves, but we were a bit tired," the brilliant midfielder explained. "It is just about trying to win our games before the World Cup."
Chelsea have faced a similar schedule in October – the Blues have played nine matches across all competitions and have also had to contend with a growing injury list. N'Golo Kante was ruled out heading into the month, but Wesley Fofana, Reece James and Kalidou Koulibaly have all picked up issues.
"I have to take responsibility and try to find a way for us to do better," Potter explained after the 4-1 defeat. "We've had an incredible schedule. This was our ninth game and sixth away match. We've had three wins in the Champions League to qualify, tough matches away at Brentford and Aston Villa, so this isn't to complain, but it's what we're up against. We met a really good opponent today, and they did really well."
Potter will have the rare opportunity to rotate his side in midweek. The Blues take on Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League but have already qualified for the knockout stage as Group E winners. And with Arsenal to come next weekend, the chance to rest key starters has to be taken.
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