Brighton & Hove 1-2 Chelsea: 5 Talking Points & Tactical Analysis | Premier League 2018-19

#2 Brighton didn't help themselves in the first half

Glenn Murray endured a frustrating first half

Chelsea exhibited their pacy brand of football and proved to be clinical, but Brighton didn't help themselves either.

In the opening exchanges of the fixture, the Blues didn't look all that dynamic and threatening. But, the Seagulls surrendered possession many a time. It almost seemed like, within 30 seconds, they would give the ball back and go on to back-pedal.

Moreover, Chris Hughton's side didn't look ready for the challenge in the first 45 minutes. They setup well, but shot themselves in the foot whenever Chelsea shifted gears. Down the other end, a giveaway from Mateo Kovacic fell to Solly March, who swung his boot at it and saw his effort saved by Kepa.

They were simply wasteful on the ball. For instance, on the back of a beautiful interchange of passes between Bernardo and March, Murray saw himself on the ball, with just two yellow shirts and acres of space in front of him. Instead of keeping it central and finding Knockaert, who had made an excellent run, the striker slowed it down and went wide.