Without national player Kai Havertz, the English Premier League club FC Chelsea suffered their third defeat at the third attempt under their reactivated interim team manager Frank Lampard.
The weakening Champions League quarter-finalists lost 1-2 (1-1) against Brighton & Hove Albion despite being in the lead. With 39 points, Chelsea are still in the no-man’s-land two weeks after parting ways with Graham Potter.
Conor Gallagher (13′) gave Chelsea the lead with a deflected long-range shot, Danny Wellbeck (42′) and Julio Enciso (69′) turned the game in favor of the guests. Chelsea remained far too passive for long stretches.
Havertz was not in the London squad due to slight knee problems, but according to Lampard he should be available again in the premier class second leg against Real Madrid on Tuesday (9 p.m. / Prime Video). The Spaniards won the first leg 2-0.
Previously, sheik club Newcastle United suffered a setback in the fight for the Champions League places. Newcastle lost 0: 3 (0: 1) at Aston Villa, sixth in the table. Manchester United could move back into third place with a point win on Sunday (5:30 p.m. / Sky) at Nottingham Forrest.
Jacob Ramsey (11th) and goalscorer Ollie Watkins (64th/83rd) scored for the hosts.
