The opening exchanges had been closely contested, Cole Palmer going close for us, but a goal of the highest quality from Kaoru Mitoma handed the Seagulls the initiative midway through the first half. They extended their lead shortly afterwards through Yankuba Minteh, who capitalised on a loose ball in the six-yard box.

It was Minteh who made sure of the points on the hour. Throughout the evening the Blues got into dangerous positions but struggled to create clear opportunities, leaving the South Coast having had zero shots on target.

We are next in action at Villa Park a week tomorrow.

Team news

Enzo Maresca made four changes to the side that started here six days ago. As the head coach promised in his pre-match media conference, Filip Jorgensen returned between the posts. Ahead of the goalkeeper, Levi Colwill replaced Tosin Adarabioyo, Enzo Fernandez came in for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Noni Madueke started in place of Jadon Sancho. Reece James was back on the bench.

With Palmer and Christopher Nkunku both deployed in advanced central roles - but the Frenchman more regularly the deeper of the two - Chelsea started brightly. Good sights of goal were hard to come by, though, and it was Brighton who had the first presentable opening. Moises Caicedo ate up ground to block Danny Welbeck’s close-range effort.

Enforced change

On 17 minutes, Nkunku and Madueke combined down the right. Madueke picked out Palmer in space just inside the box, but he sliced his shot wide. The worse news was that Madueke picked up a knock in the process and, after lengthy treatment, had to be replaced by Sancho. Pedro Neto switched flanks to the right.

It was a brilliant Brighton goal that broke the deadlock in the 27th minute. A long kick from Bart Verbruggen was immaculately plucked out of the sky by Mitoma, who then cut inside and bent a shot past Jorgensen and into the far corner.

The Blues reacted well to that goal of the season contender. Neto shot over and then had an effort from closer in blocked, before Fernandez saw a header disallowed for a push in the box.

A further setback

But our frustrations mounted with seven minutes of the first half remaining. The Seagulls evaded a series of challenges and Georginio Rutter worked his way into the box down their left. His cross-shot was inadvertently diverted goalwards by Levi Colwill, drawing a fine reaction save from Jorgensen, but Welbeck mopped up the loose ball and found Minteh, who fired through bodies and in.

Rutter blasted a shot over early in the second period with Brighton firmly set up to play on the break. We were continuing to enjoy most of the ball and the territory, but it was the hosts who got the third goal shortly after the hour.

Brighton go 3-0 up

Colwill felt he had been fouled when playing a pass, forcing him to lose possession. Welbeck was the beneficiary, releasing Minteh. He cut inside Cucurella and beat Jorgensen, a deflection off Chalobah helping it past the Danish keeper.

Maresca sent on James, Dewsbury-Hall and Tyrique George for the final third of the game, and George briefly had a sight of goal after beating his man close to the touchline. Like most of our threatening moments tonight, a blue-and-white shirt snuffed out the danger.

Brighton had three good chances to extend their advantage. Jorgensen blocked a fierce Mitoma strike, and sub Joao Pedro missed the target with a shot, and then a free header.

Five minutes were left on the clock when Jorgensen stood tall to save a flicked effort from Joel Veltman, diverting the ball onto the post. At the other end, Verbruggen showed similarly sharp reactions to stop Adam Webster turning the ball into his own net from George’s dangerous cutback. It was the final action of note on another disappointing evening in Sussex.

What it means

The Blues remain in fourth position ahead of the rest of the weekend’s games. Fifth-placed Manchester City play Newcastle, in sixth, tomorrow (Saturday).

What’s next?

The Blues are on the road again next Saturday when we take on Aston Villa in Birmingham. Kick-off at Villa Park is at 5.30pm.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; Gusto (James 64), Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez (c), Caicedo (Dewsbury-Hall 65); Madueke (Sancho 21), Nkunku, Neto (George 65); Palmer

Unused subs Sanchez, Acheampong, Tosin, Anselmino, Amougou

Booked Caicedo 42, Fernandez 64

Brighton (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Veltman, Webster, Van Hecke, Lamptey; Hinshelwood (Gomez 74), Baleba (Ayari 84); Minteh (Adingra 89), Rutter (Joao Pedro 73), Mitoma; Welbeck (c) (O’Riley 84)

Unused subs Rushworth, Wieffer, Gruda, Cashin

Scorers Mitoma 27, Minteh 38, 63

Booked Minteh 81

Referee Chris Kavanagh