Chelsea returned back to winning ways in midweek with a 2-1 victory over RB Salzburg in the Champions League on Tuesday. Goals from Mateo Kovacic and Kai Havertz saw the side edge past their Austrian opposition and continue their run under head coach Graham Potter.
The win saw Potter's men qualify for the knockout stages with a game to spare, a total turnaround from their opening two games that saw them earn only one point. “It’s a top competition," The manager said on his side making it through. "It’s amazing and fantastic to be involved in, a real test against some fantastic team and a great experience coming to these venues and experiencing an away match in the Champions League. It’s tough and challenging, but I’ve really enjoyed it.”
However, attention turns back to the Premier League, where the Blues sit fifth with a game in hand after an ideal start to life under Potter. Two draws on the bounce may mean that there's more pressure when they face Brighton and Hove Albion at the weekend.
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Under new boss Roberto De Zerbi, the Seagulls are yet to register a win, but have had a tough run of fixtures during that time - which includes the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City. The Citizens were the latest clash for the Italian head coach, where they lost 3-1 to the Premier League champions.
Despite the scoreline, Brighton held their own and could have earned a result from the game, making City work for all three points with help from a tactical switch. Manager Pep Guardiola discussed their threat after in a potential warning to the Blues, saying: "It was one of the toughest games we can face because it is a type of game we are not used to.
"We don’t have men free, they play man-to-man so you have to play direct balls and make third man runs. It’s not the type of game we are used to, but in general we are happy with the points because its a tricky, tricky game.”
With Brighton switching to a man marking switching, it makes it tougher for the team to have a free player available to create as they are usually closed down with less time and space to make decisions. It could prove to be a difficult game for the Blues, despite being favourites.
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