Chelsea’s inconsistent Premier League campaign suffered another blow on Saturday as Brighton produced a dramatic late comeback to secure a 3-1 victory at Stamford Bridge.

Enzo Fernandez’s first-half header gave the Blues a deserved lead after a dominant opening 45 minutes in which they controlled possession and chances. But the game turned decisively early in the second half when Trevor Chalobah was sent off following a VAR review for a foul on Diego Gomez as he raced through on goal.

Initially waved away by referee Simon Hooper, the incident was overturned after VAR intervention, leaving Chelsea to play the final 40 minutes with 10 men. The dismissal proved costly as Brighton seized momentum.

Danny Welbeck levelled with a powerful header 14 minutes from time before Brighton were denied a penalty when Malo Gusto’s high boot appeared to catch Yankuba Minteh in the head. Former referee Mike Dean criticised the decision, saying, “The player can’t see but his foot shouldn’t be that high. It is an easy on-field decision.”

Despite the controversy, Brighton pressed on and stunned the home crowd with two stoppage-time strikes. Maxim De Cuyper pounced to put the visitors ahead before Welbeck netted his second to seal a remarkable turnaround.

The defeat marked the second straight game in which Chelsea had a player sent off, while Brighton celebrated their first league win at Stamford Bridge in style.

Faridah Abdulkadiri 

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