Manager Liam Rosenior has criticised his players after Chelsea F.C. slumped to a 3-0 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion F.C., a result that reportedly ended a 114-year record for the London side.
Chelsea delivered a dismal performance at the Amex Stadium, failing to register a single shot on target as their hopes of securing a Champions League place suffered a major setback.
A visibly frustrated Rosenior did not mince words in his post-match reaction.
“By far. It was unacceptable in every aspect of the game, unacceptable in our attitude,” he told Sky Sports. “I keep coming out and defending the players. That’s indefensible, that performance tonight. The manner of the goals we conceded, the amount of duels that we lost, the lack of intensity in the team. Something needs to change drastically right now.”
He described the outing as one of the worst moments of his managerial career.
“The professionalism wasn’t there. It’s a really difficult night. The most difficult night not even just here, so far, at this magnificent football club, but in my career. Some of the things I witnessed today, I never want to see again,” Rosenior said.
Chelsea’s struggles were compounded by injuries to key players, including Cole Palmer, Estevao and Joao Pedro, leaving the team short of creativity and attacking threat.
Brighton capitalised on the situation with a dominant display, as goals from Ferdi Kadioglu, Jack Hinshelwood and Danny Welbeck sealed a comfortable victory for the hosts.
Despite the injury setbacks, Rosenior refused to offer excuses for his team’s lacklustre showing.
“We need to look in the mirror; I need to look in the mirror,” he said. “But I can’t keep coming out here and defending some of the things we’re seeing. The general attitude, spirit, determination was lacking apart from maybe three or four of the XI.”
The defeat leaves Chelsea’s season hanging in the balance, with serious questions now being raised about the team’s mentality and consistency at a crucial stage of the campaign.