Chelsea were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by Brighton & Hove Albion, a result that deepened an already alarming run of form and further damaged any realistic hopes of Champions League qualification this season. Brighton opened the scoring early and Jack Hinshelwood doubled the lead before Danny Welbeck added a stoppage-time third to complete the scoreline.

Liam Rosenior selected a cautious starting XI that included five natural defenders and two defensive midfielders after injuries to João Pedro and Cole Palmer limited attacking options. The conservative set-up failed to offer the intended defensive solidity, with Brighton finding the net inside three minutes and threatening even earlier. Brighton produced 1.31 xG in the first 20 minutes, the second-highest total in that timeframe this Premier League season, and had six total shots by the 20-minute mark, four on target and two clear big chances missed.

Chelsea managed an xG of 0.04 from one blocked shot in the first half, a figure described in the match report as generous. Match statistics list Brighton with 2.17 expected goals and Chelsea with 0.38, possession at 54% to 46% and total shots 15 to 6 in Brighton’s favour. The Blues have now failed to score in five consecutive Premier League matches and have not kept a clean sheet in 12 league games in a row. The defeat leaves Chelsea overtaken by Brighton in the standings and with the possibility of dropping out of the top 10 by their next league fixture.

Individual displays were mixed but generally poor. Robert Sánchez (6.4) made an important early save but produced distribution described as terrible and committed an error averted only by Trevoh Chalobah’s goal-line clearance. Wesley Fofana (6.5) was substituted at half time after a difficult opening spell. Alejandro Garnacho (5.6) squandered chances after coming on at the interval, while substitutes Dário Essugo (6.0) and Marc Guiu (6.4) did little to alter the outcome.

The performance was judged by the report as one of the worst under the BlueCo ownership era, and Rosenior’s position on Chelsea’s touchline was described as potentially precarious if results do not improve.

Chelsea’s bid to end a four-game Premier League losing run away at Brighton became more complicated after Cole Palmer was left out of the matchday squad. Manager Liam Rosenior confirmed the reason as “some tightness in his hamstring.” Palmer has struggled with injuries this season but had started the last 10 straight games and had recently seemed to turn a corner.

With João Pedro still nursing a thigh issue, Chelsea will take the pitch at Amex Stadium without two of their most dangerous attackers. Desperately needing a win to course correct in the Champions League qualification race, the team faces a significant selection challenge.

Starting XI (3-4-1-2): Robert Sánchez; Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Jorrel Hato; Malo Gusto, Moisés Caicedo, Roméo Lavia, Marc Cucurella; Enzo Fernández; Pedro Neto, Liam Delap.

Substitutes: Teddy Sharman-Lowe (GK), Josh Acheampong, Tosin Adarabioyo, Mamadou Sarr, Andrey Santos, Dário Essugo, Jesse Drry, Alejandro Garnacho, Marc Guiu.

Rosenior has elected to include Roméo Lavia in the XI to partner Moisés Caicedo in the base of midfield, allowing Enzo Fernández to slide forward and operate in the No. 10 role, replacing the injured Palmer. “Having just returned from an internal suspension, the Argentine was one of the few bright spots of last weekend’s defeat.” Trevoh Chalobah has been included and will make his first start since suffering an injury against Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16.

The manager’s switch to a 3-4-1-2 appears aimed at prioritizing defensive security in light of the attacking absences. Liam Delap and Pedro Neto will be the most advanced players as Chelsea attempt to arrest their poor run in front of goal. Palmer missing the clash against Brighton is a blow, and there is also uncertainty over his availability for Chelsea’s FA Cup semifinal against Leeds United on Sunday. “He’s out for this game, and we’ll see how he moves on for the FA Cup semifinal,” Rosenior told reporters ahead of kick-off vs. Brighton.

Gameweek 33 brings both headaches and opportunities for FPL managers as several teams play twice. The double fixtures make prioritising players from the right squads crucial, with Bournemouth, Brighton & Hove Albion, Burnley, Chelsea, Leeds United and Manchester City all on double duty.

Goalkeepers
Karl Darlow (£3.9m) stands out because of his low price and fixtures against Wolverhampton Wanderers (H) and Bournemouth (A). He has scored 16 points across his last three fixtures and looks nailed on for the remainder of the season. Gianluigi Donnarumma (£5.6m) also offers two fixtures, Arsenal (H) and Burnley (A), but his inclusion uses one of three Man City slots managers may prefer to spend on midfield and forward assets. Đorđe Petrović (£4.6m) is a Bournemouth alternative after three clean sheets in his last six outings versus Newcastle United (A) and Leeds (H).

Defenders
Bournemouth defenders Marcos Senesi (£5.2m) and James Hill (£4.2m) present clean sheet potential and solid defensive contribution totals, while Adrien Truffert (£4.7m) provides more attacking upside via assists. Leeds options Pascal Struijk (£4.3m), Jayden Bogle (£4.4m) and Gabriel Gudmundsson (£3.8m) offer differing mixes of defensive reliability and attacking threat. Marc Cucurella (£6.0m) is the main Chelsea defender to consider despite matches with Manchester United (H) and Brighton (A) being tough for clean sheets. Nico O’Reilly (£5.0m) would be an obvious pick after a 14-point weekend and 52 points in six gameweeks, but he is an injury concern; Marc Guéhi (£5.1m) is a viable alternative if O’Reilly is ruled out.

Midfield and attack
Antoine Semenyo (£8.2m) remains an attractive midfield option despite high ownership. Rayan Cherki (£6.3m) offers a differential and Jérémy Doku (£6.4m) provides explosive potential. Cole Palmer (£10.5m) will start both Chelsea games and is on spot kicks. Bournemouth’s Marcus Tavernier (£5.4m) is notable for set-piece and penalty responsibility versus Rayan (£5.5m) and Alex Scott (£5.0m). Pascal Groß (£5.5m) and Yankuba Minteh (£5.5m) could be short-term Brighton values.

Forwards
Erling Haaland (£14.4m) is the obvious captaincy candidate across two fixtures, with particular promise in the Burnley match. João Pedro (£7.7m) is a reliable pick given Chelsea’s double and his 82 points since Liam Rosenior took charge; he faces little competition for his starting role.