What Enzo Maresca acquired improper as Chelsea undone by Brighton star’s second of magic

On Feb 14, 2025

Chelsea were put to the sword by Brighton on Friday evening as a moment of magic from Kaoru Mitoma set the tone for a woeful evening for the Blues

21:58, 14 Feb 2025

Chelsea Manager Enzo Maresca during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Chelsea FC at Amex Stadium on February 14, 2025 in Brighton, England.

Enzo Maresca’s side were beaten 3-0(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)

Chelsea were beaten the second Kaoru Mitoma cushioned the ball down and cut past Trevoh Chalobah.

Chalobah was dumbfounded at the Lionel Messi-esque moment of individual brilliance from the Brighton star. It was the first of three goal in a scoreline that almost flatters the Blues – they were chasing shadows on Friday evening down on the south coast.

And as Enzo Maresca’s side lick their wounds and hope results don’t go against them over the weekend, Daily Star Sport has a look at what the Italian got wrong on a drab evening in Brighton.

Matching up one-on-one

Brighton and Hove Albion's Kaoru Mitoma (centre) controls the ball on his way to scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Premier League match at the American Express Stadium, Brighton.

Kaoru Mitoma was the difference maker(Image: PA)

Enzo Maresca decided to opt for a four back on Friday evening, effectively matching up his defender one-on-one with the wealth of talent that Brighton provide up front.

And that was quickly exposed by Kaoru Mitoma, who produced a moment of magic that Jamie Carragher, who was on comms for Sky Sports, labelled as “Messi-like”. However, it was too easy for the Brighton winger, who only had to beat one man.

“What happened to the Chelsea defenders,” one fan fumed. While a second said: “Mitoma and Minteh running rings around Chelsea defenders!”

The Jadon Sancho conundrum

Brighton and Hove Albion's Yankuba Minteh and Chelsea's Jadon Sancho (top) battle for the ball during the Premier League match at the American Express Stadium, Brighton. Picture date: Friday February 14, 2025.

Jadon Sancho was poor on Friday evening(Image: PA)

Brighton went 3-0 up, and Jadon Sancho was stood there like a statue.

“Sancho was enjoying plenty of ‘freedom’ there as he let Mintah run away from him,” one fan joked. Sancho is currently on loan at the Blues – but they have na obligation to buy come sunnier skies and the summer.

“Do we have to buy Sancho or can we say no thanks. Woeful,” one fan questioned. And another added: “The best decision INEOS has made so far is the Sancho Loan with obligation to buy. Love it!”

Chelsea’s away form

Chelsea's English midfielder #20 Cole Palmer (L) and Chelsea's Argentinian midfielder #08 Enzo Fernandez react after the team conceded a second goal during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on February 14, 2025.

Chelsea haven’t won away since December(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Jamie Carragher noted on Sky Sports comms you can read a lot into a team by their away form. The Blues’ last win on the road was against Astana in the Europa Conference League on December 12 – in the Premier League it was against Spurs on December 8.

Yes, their last win on the road was over two months ago.

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This has to change, if Chelsea want to return to the summit of English football they have to improve their results away from home.