By Victor Kanayo
Coach Graham Potter endured a nightmare return to Amex Stadium as Brighton thrashed Chelsea 4-1 to claim a first victory under their new manager Roberto de Zerbi.
Potter left Brighton to succeed former Coach Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea last month, returning to the south coast to face his former employers for the first time complete with a nine-match unbeaten record in all competitions at his new club.
But the hosts made a blistering start at the Amex Stadium against Potter’s bewildered side, racing into the lead inside five minutes through a well-taken Leandro Trossard goal.
Breathless Brighton kept coming and soon had a quickfire second after Ruben Loftus-Cheek diverted a corner into his own net, with another own goal from Trevoh Chalobah making it three for Brighton three minutes before the interval.
Chelsea started well after the break and got back into the game three minutes into the second half through Kai Havertz’s header, but the damage had already been done and Potter’s team could not rouse a comeback.
Pascal Gross’s last-gasp fourth goal capped a fine afternoon for Potter’s successor Roberto De Zerbi, with the first win of his reign moving Brighton up to seventh in the standings, while Chelsea stay fifth, eight points behind leaders Manchester City.
Earlier on Saturday, Manchester City moved to the top of the Premier League after Kevin de Bruyne’s world-class free-kick broke down Leicester City’s stubborn resistance at the King Power Stadium.
Foxes’ Manager Brendan Rodgers had clearly set up his team to do a containing job on the reigning champions and it had worked effectively until De Bruyne curled a magnificent strike into the top corner from 25 yards four minutes after half-time.
De Bruyne’s goal was reward for City’s dominance, even though they missed the killer touch of the absent Erling Haaland, who has been suffering from a fever and a foot injury.
Arsenal can return to the top of the table with victory against Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium on Sunday, but for now Manchester City are back in the position that has become such familiar territory in recent years.
Also, Wolverhampton Wanderers skipper Ruben Neves earned his side a 1-1 draw at Brentford with a stunning equaliser same day but they stay in the Premier League relegation zone.
At St James’ Park, Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson netted twice and Miguel Almiron scored a sensational second-half strike as the fourth-placed Magpies thrashed Aston Villa 4-0 in the Premier League, just as Tottenham defeated resilient Bournemouth 3-2 away from home.
