Brighton & Hove Albion 1-3 Chelsea | 5 talking points as Chelsea begin their season with a win | EPL 2020-21
All eyes were on Frank Lampard and his Chelsea team as the Blues travelled to the Amex Stadium for their first game of the season. After a remarkable spending spree in the summer transfer window so far, Chelsea were fit and ready to start a new chapter.
Both teams were a little sluggish and weren't creating many clear-cut chances. Jorginho scored Chelsea's first goal of the new season from the penalty spot after Timo Werner was brought down by Matt Ryan inside the box.
Brighton drew level in the 54th minute after Leandro Trossard's 20-yard shot squirmed its way past Kepa Arrizabalaga. But that meant very little, as 100 seconds later, a super strike from Reece James put Chelsea back ahead.
The game was done and dusted when Kurt Zouma scored via James' corner. The shot took a deflection but it was enough to confirm Chelsea's three points.
Keeping all that in mind, here are five talking points from the late-night clash at the Amex:
#5 Tariq Lamptey and Reece James
Tariq Lamptey was very impressive against his former side. The 19 year-old ex-Chelsea player put on an amazing performance and was deservedly praised. Lamptey had more touches than any other player on the pitch during the first half and provided an assist in the second half.
The English defender was relentlessly running up and down the pitch, and Marcos Alonso had no idea how to deal with him. Football fans around the world were shocked to see that Chelsea sold such a talented right-back.
Just under two minutes after that assist, Chelsea right-back and highly-rated youngster Reece James blasted one into the Brighton net to give Chelsea the lead again. He also took the corner which was then scored by Zouma for Chelsea's third goal.
#4 A night to forget for Ruben Loftus-Cheek
A lot is expected from Ruben Loftus-Cheek, given what he has shown in glimpses and what he is capable of. A highly-rated player, especially in the Chelsea camp, Loftus-Cheek is often considered as an important part of the England team in the future.
Today wasn't a day he would like to remember though. It was one of those nights where nothing went right. The Chelsea midfielder constantly gave the ball away. He could not make an easy pass to Timo Werner, which would have set up the German striker for a one-on-one against the goalkeeper.
With the options that Chelsea have in the midfield, this performance was the last thing Loftus-Cheek needed. The 24-year old will have to improve massively if he wants to be a regular in this Chelsea side.