Bookies favourites Brighton make Chelsea go west for second time

Did you ever think you would see the day when pundits and bookies would have Brighton marked down as favourites for an away game against Chelsea?

Their faith turned out to be correct, as for the second time this season Chelsea ended up “going west” against the Albion.

The meaning to go west in English is when something is lost, damaged or spoiled in some way. Well, Mr Todd Boehly has spoilt the Blues in more ways than one since taking over!

Despite being above Chelsea in the table, Brighton needed to be wary arriving at Stamford Bridge. It was Frank Lampard’s first home game back in charge and the Blues would be looking to bounce back from defeat against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

That is the only competition Chelsea have left to play for this season and with the second leg coming up, there was talk that Lampard would rest players against the Albion.

Brighton though are now at a point where it does not matter who we face. The Albion are getting stronger and stronger with each match they play for Roberto De Zerbi, and so it proved once again with the Seagulls winning a league game away against Chelsea for the first time in their history. How proud are we of these lads?

I have been saving my old age pension for next weekend’s trip to Wembley so could not be at Stamford Bridge. The away support sounded in fantastic voice over the BBC Radio Sussex airwaves, drowning out the home fans in The Shed. It was brilliant to listen to and hopefully we make as much noise at the FA Cup semi final.

Hopefully the weather is similar, too. Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall informed us it was a sunny, spring day in the capital and Brighton were quick off the mark, not needing long before Evan Ferguson let rip a shot which hit the bar.

There was much to get excited about in that opening 10 minutes. My old settee springs took a bashing and even the dog was getting wound up.

But then Chelsea scored, totally against the run of play. Mykhailo Mudryk cut in from the right to the centre and slipped a pass to Conor Gallagher.

His shot unfortunately kicked up off the back of Lewis Dunk’s boot. Robert Sanchez was about to move to his left when the deflection took the ball right and that split second was enough to mean the Albion goalkeeper could not quite get to the shot.

The Match of the Day and Sky Sports highlights did not really show the wealth of chances Brighton created but could not quite take after falling behind.

Had the Albion been more clinical, the equaliser would have arrived long before it did. Finishing is something De Zerbi will have the players working on this week I am sure, along with practicing penalties ready for Sunday just in case!

Brighton also found Kepa Arrizabalaga in the Chelsea goal giving a man of the match performance with a number of great saves throughout.

The Albion had to overcome two injury blows before they scored. Trusted right back Joel Veltman left on 28 minutes to be replaced by Julio Enciso.

10 minutes later and Ferguson had to be taken off with Danny Welbeck coming on, following Ferguson landing awkwardly after having a header saved by Kepa.

Let us hope Veltman and Ferguson do not miss out on Wembley; both have been excellent this season and deserve the chance to play in an FA Cup semi final.

Welbeck had only been on the pitch for three minutes when he scored. Pascal Gross crossed and sandwiched between two blue shirts rose the crimson number 18 to nod the ball past Kepa.

The injury curse looked like it might continue when Sanchez did some damage against his own goalpost when saving. Fortunately he was okay and that rare attack from Chelsea ended with a Brighton free kick anyway for offside.

BBC Radio Sussex told us that Brighton began the second half playing even better football than in the first. All the Albion needed was a goal.

Brighton were not waiting for Chelsea to make errors but forcing them into doing so. A Kepa attempt to play out from the back was brilliantly intercepted by Moises Caicedo, who worked the ball to Welbeck for a shot straight into the hands of the home goalkeeper.

The Albion were fighting for every ball, quickly pressing Chelsea and catching their sluggish hosts napping on many occasions.

Enciso in particular was playing his heart out. At one point, he skipped past not one but two Chelsea defenders and managed to crack a shot away from a tight angle.

Kepa parried and the rebound fell to Welbeck who put it over the bar. The chance came quickly to Welbeck, making it impossible to control or get the precision needed.

But what about Enciso? What a player this lad is. His tenacity, determination and will to win showed through. I hope he plays at Wembley against Manchester United as he could be the difference maker.

Enciso of course hit the winner in style. Before that though, Sanchez had to pull off a double save from Reece James and Mudryk as Chelsea went on a rare attck.

The Albion’s aggression led to their second goal. Joao Felix was harried into losing possession, Solly March cut in from the left and found Enciso in the middle.

Enciso was still a long way from goal but still decided shoot with his right foot from 30 yards. It went with so much pace that slow motion replays found it had to track the ball as it flew into the top corner.

Even Kepa having one of those games where he seemed to be saving virtually everything had no chance of keeping it out.

Enciso ran straight to the Brighton supporters behind the goal, jumping onto the hoardings and celebrating with his teammates. Everyone knew they had just witnessed something truly special, a proper Goal of the Season contender.

There were still 21 minutes remaining but Brighton had been so good and Chelsea so abject, you thought at that point it was probably the winning goal.

Brighton maintained their lead despite six minutes of injury time. What a victory for the Albion and the perfect way to go into Wembley, restoring faith and confidence after the disappointment of the controversial defeat at Spurs a week earlier.

Now we look forward to Sunday. In all my years, I have never ever had the opportunity to go to Wembley and I am really looking forward to it.

Seagulls Travel has made the transport side so easy and the club’s allocation system seemed to work well, including getting further tickets for those who missed out first time around.

Whatever the result, days like FA Cup semi finals are the ones which stay with us forever. Good luck lads, and up the Albion.

Tony Noble @Noble1844Tony