Brighton 1-3 Chelsea: Frank Lampard needs title problem after beginning season with win

Published:Dec 5, 202303:04

Brighton 1-3 Chelsea: Frank Lampard impressed with Chelsea debutantsFrank Lampard says his expensively reshaped Chelsea aspect "should have intentions to be up there" with champions Liverpool after they started their marketing campaign with victory at Brighton.

Chelsea completed 33 factors adrift of the Reds final season and misplaced each league fixtures towards them however have spent round £200m this summer season.

Timo Werner - signed from RB Leipzig - and his Germany team-mate Kai Havertz - introduced in from Bayer Leverkusen - made their debuts for a aspect pressured to work onerous for his or her win in Monday's sport at Brighton.Werner was pacy and distinguished within the victory, profitable a Twenty third-minute penalty when he was hauled down by Brighton keeper Mat Ryan, Jorginho scoring the ensuing spot-kick.

The brand new signing had ice strapped to his leg at full-time following the collision to win the penalty however stated he could be match to face Liverpool in Sunday's sport at Stamford Bridge. Brighton misplaced summer season signing Adam Lallana to damage earlier than the break however had been again on stage phrases after 54 minutes when Leandro Trossard's 20-yard shot squirmed previous Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.Chelsea regained their lead two minutes later when Reece James ripped a 25-yard right-foot shot excessive previous Ryan.Brighton ought to have equalised when Lewis Dunk someway headed vast on the far publish, paying the value for the miss when Kurt Zouma's shot was deflected previous Ryan by Adam Webster.

"We undoubtedly need to shut that hole to Liverpool - now we have to have intentions to be up there despite the fact that it's a huge ask to win [the title]," stated Lampard, who has additionally signed midfielder Hakim Ziyech and defenders Xavier Mbuyamba, Malang Sarr, Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva this summer season."We're behind, it is step-by-step. Hopefully we will make huge strides."Rusty Chelsea will take the factors Timo Werner wins a penalty for Chelsea

Timo Werner joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig on a five-year deal this summer season

Lampard will probably be delighted to depart Brighton win three factors after what was a combined efficiency, maybe comprehensible for the primary Premier League outing of the season.Lampard acquired what he needed, aside from a debut purpose, from Werner as he was a continuing menace, all the time on the transfer and looking out to make use of his velocity to get behind the Brighton defence. He had no hassle adjusting to the tempo of the Premier League and there appears little doubt targets will come.Havertz was a extra low-key presence on the proper aspect of midfield in entrance of James however he labored onerous in his 79 minutes and drew heat applause from Lampard for one prolonged restoration run again into his personal penalty space to clear hazard.Chelsea had been with out injured left-back Chilwell, signed for £50m from Leicester Metropolis, and Silva as he has solely simply joined coaching and Lampard will probably be eager to get that influential duo right into a defence that also seems to be susceptible.Tariq Lamptey's crosses precipitated hassle all night time and Chelsea had been grateful for that headed miss by Dunk on the far publish when it seemed simpler to attain.And as soon as once more there have been questions over keeper Kepa, who acquired near Trossard's shot however allowed it to creep in. It appears his time is working out as Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper, with the £20m signing of Rennes' Edouard Mendy apparently imminent.Brighton rue missed probability Adam Lallana

Adam Lallana joined Brighton on a free from Liverpool this summer season

Brighton can take some satisfaction via the ache of a defeat that may go away supervisor Graham Potter bitterly pissed off.The Seagulls acquitted themselves very effectively and had the sport's excellent performer in former Chelsea right-back Lamptey, who was industrious and inventive in a top-class show.And the momentum gave the impression to be with Brighton when Trossard scored a deserved equaliser - just for them to concede a second inside two minutes from James' thunderous end.Brighton then wasted the most effective probability of the sport when Dunk headed vast and had been unable to recuperate as Chelsea re-established a two-goal lead.This was, nevertheless, a really respectable efficiency. On the down aspect, Potter is going through the problem he should have feared when he signed Lallana from Liverpool.Lallana is a superb asset when match - however therein lies the issue. He didn't final the primary half and has now didn't play 90 minutes within the Premier League since he confronted Middlesbrough for Liverpool in Might 2017.'We'll get higher and higher' - what they stated