Chelsea won full points in Week 14 of the 2023/2024 Premier League. Facing Brighton at Stamford Bridge. They faced fierce resistance, until finally they managed to beat their guests with a score of 3-2 at headquarters, Sunday .
The match was exciting, both teams were quite evenly matched and were able to kill each other. Chelsea, with four players in the natural position of center back, managed to score 2 goals from set pieces. Numbers we rarely see every week. Plus, a careless red card from captain Gallagher. So, players like Mudryk who surprisingly don’t play well but in a few moments can change things in the match. Well deserved a standing ovation when pulled out.
This is how the first half goes Both teams played evenly and openly from the moment the whistle sounded. Even though there was still no chance, the first few minutes showed that in this match the players from both teams were preparing fun entertainment for the fans. It didn’t take long, in the 16th minute, Gallagher’s corner kick went to Badhiasile’s feet and unexpectedly reached Enzo’s head, the ball quickly broke into Brighton’s goal. (1:0)
After winning, both teams did not relax their game. Chelsea still wants a second goal and Brighton wants to turn things around. On this occasion, Dewi Lakshmi defended Chelsea. Five minutes later, in the 21st minute, we got another corner kick. Another kick, delivered by Gallagher with difficulty straight towards Nicolas Jackson’s head, was thrown quite far. Not wasted, but headed towards Lewy Cowil’s head with the ball deftly entering the goal. Even though Gilmour managed to clear it, the ball had already crossed the goal line. (2:0)
After that, Brighton’s confidence began to waver. How they attack is no longer as extraordinary as usual. The team with the title of best attack builder in the English league, looks like complete nonsense. They really don’t show the character that the media says they do.
However, all of that didn’t last long. 31′ minute Gallagher’s yellow card gave Brighton a turning point to move on. Ten minutes later, in the 42nd minute, the magic came, Buonanotte, a young Brighton player, showed his ability to perform individual skills, ending with an unstoppable shot like that. The ball comfortably entered the goal. (2:1). Things got even more comfortable a few minutes later, Gallagher had to be forced off after receiving a second yellow card for his dirty tackle on Gilmour. Lakshmi smiled with Brighton and with that, the first half ended.
Second round goes now. We know the Blues had to start the second half with 10 men. Surprisingly, They did their job very well. Their mentality and belief in winning was strong again after the break between rounds. With 10 players, they managed to build attacks, attacking as well as Brighton.
One team, ten players suddenly played above their usual performance. Especially Mudryk, this number 10 player shows his class when he gets a gap. 62′ on a quick counter-attack, ending up at his feet with a touch or two. Even though he failed to score, Mikhailo Mudryk managed to force Pascal Gross to commit a foul in the box. In the 65th minute, Enzo executed the kick. Without mercy, the ball went hard into the goal. (3-1)
On the other hand, realizing that you are in a threatened situation. Brighton bounced back. But things have become very complicated. The Blues’ fighting power in total is high. Not a single pattern of play that they implemented succeeded in penetrating Sanchez’s strong fortress.
Even if it penetrates, there is always a problem with the final solution. Apart from that, players with extraordinary individual skills such as Kaoru Mitoma have also tried their magic several times. Unfortunately, Lakshmi didn’t even turn around. The endless struggle of Brighton players must stop here. One goal from Joao Pedro in the 90+2′ minute couldn’t help much. (3:2)
To summarize, with this win Chelsea got a breath of fresh air after last week’s embarrassing defeat against Newcastle. Especially players like Mudryk, even though they are not playing very well, there seems to be progress there. They are up in 10th position, still below Brighton who are comfortable in 8th position.
ASL
