The England star forced an own goal early but the Blues were swiftly pegged back as Brighton came from behind to progress in the FA Cup
With Brighton having lost 7-0 to Nottingham Forest last weekend, Chelsea may have expected to fill their boots when they took the lead within five minutes through Cole Palmer in this FA Cup fourth round clash, but it wasn't to be as Enzo Maresca's side suffered a 2-1 defeat.
A corner was worked to Sancho on the edge of the box, and he flighted a ball into Palmer in the left channel. His attempted cross was horribly fumbled by Bart Verbruggen into the net, and the goal was marked as an own goal.
But just six minutes later, Brighton were level. A fine ball in from Joel Veltman found Georginio Rutter and his powerful header found the bottom corner.
In the second half, Chelsea struggled for rhythm and fell behind as Tosin Adarabioyo and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall failed to clear and Kauro Mitoma pounced to lift the ball over Robert Sanchez and complete a remarkable turnaround.
Maresca rang the changes thereafter but the Blues were unable to restore control and have subsequently been knocked out of the FA Cup. The Seagulls, however, soar on.
GOAL rates Chelsea's players from the AMEX Stadium…
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Robert Sanchez (5/10):
Got nowhere near Rutter's header and was cheekily lobbed by Mitoma. While he didn't make a mistake of the Verbruggen type, he hardly radiates confidence.
Malo Gusto (5/10):
Stood up to Mitoma, until the Japan international wriggled away from him and extended his side's lead. Couldn't push up as much as he usually does.
Tosin Adarabioyo (4/10):
Dealt well with the pace of Rutter but less impressive on the ball, particularly when pressed. Terrible for Mitoma's goal as his clearance went nowhere.
Trevoh Chalobah (5/10):
Totally flat-footed for Brighton's equaliser. Always willing to put his foot through the ball but needs a little more subtlety to his game, particularly in possession.
Marc Cucurella (5/10):
Couldn't get out to Veltman before he delivered the ball for Rutter's equaliser. Involved throughout, as he is so willing to push forward.
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Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (5/10):
Booked for a reckless early challenge. Did okay in possession but much less effective defensively, culminating in a botched pass that allowed Brighton to score their second. Subbed immediately after. Not the performance required to earn him more starts, sadly.
Moises Caicedo (6/10):
Booked for an ugly second-half tackle. Played the quarterback role effectively but had too much to do at the base of the midfield as Brighton began exerting control.
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Pedro Neto (4/10):
Took a knock in the first half and needed treatment. Kept going at his man but got absolutely no change out of the excellent Tariq Lamptey before he was subbed.
Cole Palmer (6/10):
His cross led to Verbruggen's own goal but it was a truly remarkable mistake from the stopper. Made some very intelligent runs, though his place in this system seems muddled as he and Nkunku continually try to operate in the same space.
Christopher Nkunku (3/10):
Ostensibly played as the No.9 in the system but it didn't work. Peripheral and failed to have a shot on goal. A surprise that he lasted the 90.
Jadon Sancho (6/10):
Lovely clipped ball into Palmer led to the first goal. Well marshalled by Veltman as he just couldn't make anything else happen.
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Enzo Fernandez (6/10):
On for Dewsbury-Hall. Was barely able to get on the ball.
Noni Madueke (N/A):
On for Sancho but couldn't get Chelsea back into the game.
Tyrique George (N/A):
Replaced Neto. Had precious little time.
Enzo Maresca (4/10):
The tactical experiment of Nkunku at centre-forward did not pay off here, and Maresca's changes could not stem Brighton's flow. At times, this looked like a muddled Blues XI, with passes going astray and players struggling to find any rhythm. A bad day at the office.