Chelsea's Stamford Bridge was the scene of a ‘complete nightmare’ afternoon for manager Enzo Maresca as his side slumped to a humiliating 3-1 Premier League defeat against Brighton, a loss compounded by a rare visit from the club's ownership.
Co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali, accompanied by several club officials, reportedly marched straight into the dressing room immediately following the final whistle.
Maresca, however, sought to defuse the incident, claiming that such visits from the owners are a ‘regular occurrence’ at the club.
The defeat itself was a disaster, with the tide turning early in the second half when a ‘hopeless stray pass’ from Andrey Santos allowed Diego Gomez to race through on goal before being brought down by Trevoh Chalobah.
Following a VAR review, referee Simon Hooper issued a red card to the England international, leaving the Blues to play the majority of the second half with ten men.
Maresca's side had initially taken the lead through Fernandez, who headed home a cross from Reece James after a delicious through ball from Moises Caicedo.
But after the sending-off, Brighton's pressure was relentless.
Danny Welbeck, who had previously stabbed a half-volley inches wide, powered a header home from close range for the equaliser.
The misery was piled on in stoppage time when Maxim De Cuyper nodded past Robert Sanchez to make it 2-1, before Welbeck looped the ball high into the net for his second and Brighton’s third in the final seconds.
Maresca will take his press conference shortly to explain the collapse, but the defeat, combined with the ownership's immediate reaction, signifies a growing crisis at the club.
The performance review from GOAL rates Chelsea’s players poorly, with the general feeling being that the sending-off proved catastrophic.
Co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali, accompanied by several club officials, reportedly marched straight into the dressing room immediately following the final whistle.
Maresca, however, sought to defuse the incident, claiming that such visits from the owners are a ‘regular occurrence’ at the club.
The defeat itself was a disaster, with the tide turning early in the second half when a ‘hopeless stray pass’ from Andrey Santos allowed Diego Gomez to race through on goal before being brought down by Trevoh Chalobah.
Following a VAR review, referee Simon Hooper issued a red card to the England international, leaving the Blues to play the majority of the second half with ten men.
Maresca's side had initially taken the lead through Fernandez, who headed home a cross from Reece James after a delicious through ball from Moises Caicedo.
But after the sending-off, Brighton's pressure was relentless.
Danny Welbeck, who had previously stabbed a half-volley inches wide, powered a header home from close range for the equaliser.
The misery was piled on in stoppage time when Maxim De Cuyper nodded past Robert Sanchez to make it 2-1, before Welbeck looped the ball high into the net for his second and Brighton’s third in the final seconds.
Maresca will take his press conference shortly to explain the collapse, but the defeat, combined with the ownership's immediate reaction, signifies a growing crisis at the club.
The performance review from GOAL rates Chelsea’s players poorly, with the general feeling being that the sending-off proved catastrophic.