Following today’s clash between Brighton and Chelsea, here are the instant reactions from both managers.
Brighton hosted Chelsea at the Amex Stadium on Saturday January 20, with the visitors taking a four nil victory following a brace from Eden Hazard and solo goals from Willian and Victor Moses.
The win moves Chelsea level on points with second placed Manchester United and they scored twice in the opening six minutes to take advantage. Brighton’s response was impressive though and they will feel hard done by when a penalty wasn’t awarded as Willy Caballero upended Ezequiel Schelotto in the box.
Despite other chances falling to the hosts, Chelsea were the more clinical though.
Teams:
Brighton:
Ryan, Schelotto, Goldson, Duffy, Dunk, Suttner, Gross (Kayal 68), Stephens, Propper, Hemed (Murray 68), March (Izquierdo 83).
Substitutes:
Hunemeier, Baldock, Rosenior, Krul.
Chelsea:
Caballero, Azpilicueta, Christensen (David Luiz 58), Rudiger, Moses, Kante, Bakayoko, Alonso (Zappacosta 75), Willian (Musonda 81), Batshuayi, E Hazard.
Substitutes:
Barkley, Eduardo, Ampadu, Sterling.
Speaking to the BBC’s cameras a short time after match day referee Jonathan Moss blew the final whistle, Brighton manager Chris Hughton explained.
‘It was a very difficult afternoon for us. The biggest disappointment is that 4-0 was not a true reflection of the game. We did come on to a bit of a game after going 2-0 down and we had decent opportunities, but we are finding it difficult to find the goals we need. I thought there were two penalties that could have been given. We see them briefly afterwards, but when you are Brighton playing at home to Chelsea you need as many things to go for you as possible. The second I didn’t see well but the first one I thought it was a penalty. I thought we responded well but then we conceded two poor goals – and that made the scoreline not a reflection of the game.’
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte in his comparative interview explained.
‘It was an important performance. We started very well and scored quickly, with good combinations. We started with a lot of worries, for injuries and suspensions, but the response of the team was incredible. I am very happy for this. Another clean sheet. Today it was a really good performance of the team. We moved the ball quickly, we tried to find the players between the lines, to have good combinations. I saw important things. Now we have to continue.’
