Maresca frustrated after Chelsea defeat

Enzo Maresca admitted Chelsea cannot afford to keep losing control of matches following their 3-1 defeat at home to Brighton.

Chelsea were beaten at Stamford Bridge after playing most of the second half with 10 men after Trevoh Chalobah was sent off.

Enzo Fernandez’ goal put them ahead but Chalobah was dismissed soon after the interval.

After Andrey Santos had given the ball away, Chalobah brought down Diego Gomez, who would have been through on goal.

Chalobah initially escaped without a foul even being awarded, but a VAR check established that he had denied Gomez a clear goalscoring opportunity and he was sent off.

Brighton took advantage, with Danny Welbeck equalising and Maxim De Cuyper then heading in from close range before Welbeck added another.

It came a week after keeper Robert Sanchez was sent off in a 2-1 loss at Manchester United.

Blues head coach Maresca said: “It’s a tough one because we were in control of the game. We scored one goal and we could have scored more. We had so many shots 70% possession in the first half – everything was fine.

“Then suddenly because of our mistake, with the red card the plan completely changed. We played two games: first half and then unfortunately after the red card.

“For sure you cannot continue to make mistakes. And they are big mistakes – the red card against United and today.”

Chelsea’s next game is in the Champions League, at home to Benfica on Tuesday.