Maresca needs to go”, “Give the team back to Abramovich” – Fans react as Chelsea slump to 3-0 loss against Brighton
Chelsea’s Performance Against Brighton Sparks Outrage Among Fans
Chelsea’s latest outing in the Premier League turned into a nightmare as they suffered a crushing 3-0 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion at Falmer Stadium on February 14. The lackluster performance left fans deeply disappointed, fueling widespread criticism across social media.
A Match to Forget
The Seagulls dominated the game from start to finish, leaving the Blues struggling to keep up. Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma broke the deadlock in the 27th minute, capitalizing on a long pass from Bart Verbruggen to slot home a well-placed right-footed shot. The hosts doubled their advantage in the 38th minute when Yankuba Minteh fired in a left-footed strike following a precise assist from Danny Welbeck.
Chelsea’s misery continued in the second half, with Minteh finding the net once again in the 63rd minute—this time from another Welbeck assist. Despite holding 69% possession, the Blues failed to register a single shot on target or create any meaningful threats. To make matters worse, they also picked up an injury during the match, adding to their growing list of concerns.
Fans Express Their Fury
The frustration among Chelsea supporters was palpable, with many taking to social media to vent their anger. Outraged fans called for immediate changes, with some demanding manager Enzo Maresca’s dismissal.
- “Maresca needs to go!” one fan fumed.
- Another lamented, “Give the team back to Abramovich!”
- A dejected supporter wrote, “SEASON OVER.”
- One particularly harsh critic tweeted, “Utter disaster from top to bottom. #BlueCoOut.”
- Another raged, “Every player, the manager, the sporting directors, and the owners should all be ashamed. Absolutely abysmal performance!”
The backlash didn’t stop there. Some fans accused Maresca of being out of his depth, criticizing his tactics and decision-making. One user pointed out, “Maresca tricked everyone into thinking he was a top manager, but he’s completely out of his depth. No identity, no fight, no progress. He needs to go.” Another added, “He should be sacked with his negative energy.”
Chelsea’s Second Blow Against Brighton This Month
This humiliating defeat wasn’t a one-off. It marked Chelsea’s second consecutive loss to Brighton within just a few days. On February 8, the Seagulls had already knocked them out of the FA Cup with a 2-1 victory, piling even more pressure on Maresca and his squad.
Maresca Responds to the Defeat
Following the embarrassing loss, Enzo Maresca addressed the media, acknowledging the fans’ frustration and admitting the team needs significant improvement. Speaking via NBC Sports, he expressed his disappointment:
“With this result, the frustration is about everything. We feel really sorry for the fans who traveled to support us. With 14 games remaining in the season, we must perform much, much better than what we showed tonight.”
Maresca also highlighted the team’s struggles in the final third, stating:
“We controlled possession, but when you don’t have a proper number nine to pose a constant threat, you need to find other solutions. We reached the edge of the box but failed to make an impact in the last third. Hopefully, tonight can be a turning point.”
Possession Without Purpose
Despite Chelsea enjoying 69% of the ball, their performance lacked substance. They failed to register a single shot on target and created only one significant goal-scoring opportunity, further proving that possession alone does not win matches.
As the pressure mounts, Chelsea must find solutions quickly if they hope to salvage their season. With fan unrest growing and their manager’s tactics under scrutiny, the coming weeks will be crucial for the club’s future.
