LONDON — Frank Lampard’s disastrous opening week to his second stint at Chelsea was completed as they sunk to their third successive defeat, with a 2-1 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion on his Stamford Bridge return.
Conor Gallagher put the hosts ahead on 13 minutes in fortuitous fashion as his deflected strike was sent looping over goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. But Brighton pushed hard for a leveller and Danny Welbeck pounced on poor defending to draw level shortly before half-time.
Roberto de Zerbi’s side continued to push and their pressure eventually told when Julio Enciso scored a screamer on 69 minutes as Brighton bolstered their claims for European football and claimed their second victory over Chelsea this season.
– Report: Chelsea vs. Brighton | Premier League table
Rapid reaction
1. Lampard not the man to change Chelsea’s fortunes
Lampard has legendary status at Chelsea, but he has suffered a joyless start to his caretaker spell until the end of the season, with three defeats in three games. The former Everton manager rung the changes with six alterations to the lineup that suffered a 2-0 defeat to Champions League holders Real Madrid on Wednesday.
The caretaker boss opted for pace with Mykhailo Mudryk and United States international Christian Pulisic on the either flank, with Gallagher assuming an unfamiliar role much further up the field alongside Raheem Sterling in a desperate attempt to end their four-match goalless run. Momentarily, it seemed the changes may have been well-judged. Gallagher profited from his advanced role to end his side’s goal drought just 13 minutes in, but as the game progressed Chelsea simply failed to create anything noteworthy.
They have scored just 30 league goals this season and bare the worst attacking record in the league’s top 11. Lampard, Chelsea’s record goal scorer, has shown little promise of improving their fortunes in front of goal as any attacks were largely stifled at source. Gallagher’s advanced role summed up their desperation for a goal-scoring option. Mudryk showed initial promise but fizzled out and Pulisic failed to muster anything of note on his flank.
Lampard has a lot of options at his disposal, and if he is to attract interest for another managerial gig at the elite level, he must find a way to make this Chelsea side tick before the end of the season.
