Welbeck Strikes Twice as 10-Man Chelsea Collapse in Brighton Comeback

Brighton Come from Behind to Punish 10-Man Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea suffered their second red card in as many weeks and collapsed late on as Brighton ran riot with three goals, including a Danny Welbeck brace, to snatch a 3-1 victory in west London.

Trevoh Chalobah was sent off in the 53rd minute for a last-man challenge, leaving Chelsea exposed in a game they had previously dominated. The Blues drop to 7th in the Premier League, while Brighton rise to 10th with another result against top opposition.

Another Red Card, Another Collapse

Things were going well for Chelsea when Enzo Fernandez opened the scoring in the first half with a header — though it was helped by a deflection off Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma.

But the game’s turning point came when Mitoma robbed debutant Andrey Santos, leading to Chalobah’s desperate foul on Georginio Rutter. After a lengthy VAR check, the defender was sent off.

Trevoh Chalobah – Red Card (53’)

Robert Sanchez – Red Card (previous match vs Man Utd)

This marks back-to-back red cards for Chelsea, and head coach Enzo Maresca now faces a defensive crisis ahead of a crucial game against Liverpool. With Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Levi Colwill injured, and Cole Palmer suspended, the Blues are severely weakened.

Brighton’s Late Show: Welbeck and De Cuyper Seal It

Substitute Danny Welbeck was the hero, heading home the equaliser in the 77th minute from a cross by Yankuba Minteh, who tormented Marc Cucurella all night. Another sub, Maxim De Cuyper, then powered home a header from a stoppage-time corner to give Brighton the lead.

Welbeck added his second — and Brighton’s third — in the 99th minute, tapping in from close range after a defensive scramble.

77’ — Welbeck Equaliser

90+2’ — De Cuyper Header

90+9’ — Welbeck Second Goal

Chelsea: Mistakes, Inexperience, and Pressure Mounting

Chelsea’s young squad is struggling under pressure:

• One win in five matches in all competitions

• No Premier League win since the international break

• Two red cards in two games

• Missing four first-choice defenders and Cole Palmer

Maresca’s reliance on youth — with Andrey Santos making his PL debut — has shown both promise and peril. But individual mistakes are now costing Chelsea crucial points, especially with Brentford, Bayern Munich, and now Brighton exploiting defensive lapses.

Brighton: Minteh the Next Superstar?

All eyes were on Yankuba Minteh, the explosive winger who was unplayable against Cucurella. His relentless energy, pace, and final product are turning heads — and possibly putting him on big clubs’ radar.

“Minteh was a menace all game long,” said BBC pundit and ex-Seagull Steve Sidwell.

The 19-year-old winger’s brilliant cross set up Welbeck’s first goal, capping off a complete performance.

Brighton’s manager Fabian Hurzeler made all the right moves off the bench, introducing not only Welbeck and De Cuyper, but also Mats Wieffer and Brajan Gruda, who both assisted in the turnaround.

“I have to talk to Tony (Bloom),” joked Hurzeler. “We should avoid more players moving to Chelsea!”

What’s Next?

Chelsea host Liverpool in what could be a defining match for Maresca’s early tenure. With key players out and form spiralling, the Blues face a massive test against the league leaders.

Brighton will look to continue their impressive momentum when they host Everton, with their young stars and clever recruitment continuing to make a statement.