‘It was disappointing from us’ – Frank Lampard assesses Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard delivered an honest assessment of his side’s performance in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues took an early lead through Conor Gallagher, whose deflected strike looped over the stranded Robert Sanchez, but the Seagulls responded through Danny Welbeck with half-time on the horizon.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side then completed the comeback through Julio Enciso, who rifled a ferocious shot past Kepa Arrizabalaga and into the top corner.

The scoreline flattered the uninspiring Blues, who were second-best in their own backyard from start to finish.

Brighton missed five big chances, while Arrizabalaga made nine saves to maintain a respectable defeat for his side.

Speaking after the game, interim Chelsea boss Lampard offered his perspective on what was an outing to forget from the washed-up Blues.

“Tough because of the performance – not the result because it was deserved if I’m honest,” Lampard told ChelseaTV. “Sometimes you have to give credit to the team, and they [Brighton] were a good team. 

“By our standards as a club and the players and what we desire – me as a coach – is that we perform better than that if I’m honest.

“It’s different when you’re talking about tactical elements and things that we can do. Some basics of the game, if they’re short, you’re not going to win a game against anybody at this level, so it was disappointing from us.”

Chelsea have failed to win a game since beating Leicester City 3-1 at King Power Stadium last month under former boss Graham Potter.

Lampard, who was brought in to salvage Chelsea, has now lost each of his first three games in charge, including the Champions League quarter-final first-leg clash against Real Madrid.

The Blues will welcome Carlo Ancelotti’s side to the Bridge on Tuesday night, hoping to muster a comeback against the reigning champions, who already have one foot in the semi-final.