Chelsea lost their first game under Graham Potter as the manager endured a nightmare return to Brighton, losing 4-1 at the Amex Stadium.
Brighton fans mocked their former boss Graham Potter who is now Chelsea’s manager by chanting “you’re getting sacked in the morning” as their side went 3-0 up against The Blues.
Potter spent three years in charge of the Seagulls, guiding them to a ninth place finish in the Premier League in his last full season in charge.
The 47-year-old coach was lured to Stamford Bridge in the early stages of the current campaign, replacing Thomas Tuchel.
The Blues were unbeaten under Potter heading into his first clash against his former team on Saturday.
However, five minutes into the first half, Brighton took the lead through a goal from Leandro Trossard before own goals by Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Trevoh Chalobah put them further ahead.
Chelsea had the exact response needed early in the second half as they nabbed a goal back. It was a wonderful, sweeping cross from Conor Gallagher that was nodded home by Kai Havertz (48).
Despite Chelsea dominating the second half, it was Brighton who added a late fourth as Pascal Gross bought up 50 goal involvements for the club. Julio Enciso forced two saves from second-half substitute Edouard Mendy, but Gross was there to send the ball home (90+2) and round off a fine afternoon for the Seagulls.
The result marked the first time Brighton have beaten Chelsea in league football, as well as De Zerbi’s first win as Seagulls manager. It sends Brighton into seventh with 18 points.
Chants of ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ were aimed at Potter from his former fans and he was booed both before and after the game.
However, Chelsea stay in fifth ahead of the remaining games this weekend.
Saturday’s game was just the third time Brighton have scored three goals in the first half of a Premier League game – neither of the previous instances occurred during Potter’s spell in charge.
Potter’s men will be in action again in midweek when they host Dinamo Zagreb in the final Champions League group stage match.
