Chelsea's winter blues
This is all too far familiar for Chelsea supporters. In the previous four seasons, the Blues faltered in winter. Results were poor and performances, on occasion, abject. But there was hope things would be different under Thomas Tuchel this term.
Unfortunately, history has repeated itself. Of course, there have been mitigating circumstances – Chelsea have been beset by injuries and Covid absences – yet they can't explain away all of the issues.
The Blues were so far from their best at the Amex Stadium; Brighton deserved more than a point in truth. Tuchel's side lacked ideas in the final third and were overrun in midfield despite starting N'Golo Kante and Jorginho.
Thiago Silva was a rare bright spot but even his quality couldn't paper over the fact that Chelsea, who were set up in a back four, looked ragged in defence.
It all culminated in a dismal performance and another failure to secure three points. The Blues have now won just one of their previous seven Premier League games. Such form has seen off previous head coaches at Chelsea.
Tuchel is nowhere near that point. Nor should he be. The reality, however, is things have to change quickly if Chelsea are to get out of the gloom that has enveloped what only two months ago appeared a hugely promising season.
Ziyech's travelling trick
There is no doubting the talent of Hakim Ziyech. The 28-year-old possesses a wonderful left foot that is capable of producing moments of magic, but he is also hugely frustrating.
His performance against Brighton encapsulated the player. There were occasions when Ziyech gave the ball away cheaply and he let Marc Cucurella underlap him far too often. Yet it was the Morrocan who found the back of the net for Chelsea.
There appeared little danger when Ziyech collected the ball 25 yards from goal under little pressure but he rasped a low drive towards Robert Sanchez's near post.
The Brighton goalkeeper may have been slightly unsighted and he dived late in an attempt to stop the shot. It was to no avail and Chelsea grabbed a lead they did not deserve.
Somewhat surprisingly, the goal was only Ziyech's fourth in the Premier League and all have come away from Stamford Bridge.
Tuchel's quiet night
Over the past 12 months, Chelsea supporters have become used to the antics of Tuchel on the touchline. The German never appears to truly enjoy a match; his focus tends to be on fixing problems, cajoling his players, and lambasting those not carrying out his instructions.
This was the case for the opening 15 minutes of the clash at the Amex, but then Tuchel disappeared from the touchline and took his seat in the dugout.
What was strange, however, is the German didn't return to his usual position. Instead, he sat back, watched the action unfold, and only sporadically got onto his feet.
Frustration? Anger? Disappointment? Only Tuchel knows the reason as to why he decided to withdraw against Brighton. The performance from those in yellow certainly didn't merit such an easy ride.
Lukaku's frustration
After a difficult afternoon against Man City, Romelu Lukaku needed to produce a commanding display for Chelsea, needed to remind people why the Blues paid £97.5million to sign him from Inter Milan in the summer.
It didn't happen. Lukaku was on the periphery for the entire opening period. He made runs but never got the ball, attempted to win headers but was ultimately beaten by Brighton's centre-backs.
Chelsea's fellow attacking players were as much to blame for Lukaku's ineffectiveness as the Belgian himself. And late into the half, the striker's frustration began to show.
After he was unable to bring a Ziyech pass under control, Lukaku turned to the Chelsea goalscorer and questioned why the pass was played to his feet rather than beyond the covering defender.
Ziyech defended his decision and so came a quick back and forth between the pair before the game got back underway. However, the debate had only been paused.
As the two Chelsea stars left the pitch after the half-time whistle had been blown, they restarted their conversation and it continued down the tunnel.
Was there an improvement in the second period as a result? Not truly.
