Brighton cheekily troll Chelsea as Enzo Maresca labels 3-0 defeat as ‘the worst’ in his tenure

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca speaking to Sky Sports: “This result the frustration is about everything. For sure, we feel really sorry for the fans that come here and the moment that we are in, the position we are in, we need to do much better than what we have done tonight.

“I think in terms of controlling the game or keeping the ball we did that. But I said before the game when you don’t have a nine who can be a threat we need to find different solutions. It is not only about chances.

“There are many things we have to do better. We still have many games to go and we are still in a good position. We need to do our best and try to finish in the best way.

“We are in a moment when we feel we can concede easily and struggle to score. I think before the goal they didn’t have some chances. There are many things we can do better.

“It is not only mentally. When you play these games in the moment we are, where you can make the gap bigger to the ones behind us and you perform like we did tonight, there are many things that we need to do better.

“I feel sorry for the fans. It is not the right performance that we can offer, especially at this moment in the season. We need to stick together.

“I feel pressure always. Tonight the performance was the worst since I arrived so it is not the right moment but we are still in fourth and in the race to finish in Europe.”

Maresca, speaking to BBC Sport: “Probably since I arrived that is the worst performance, especially in the moment we are in. We are fourth in the league and winning tonight you can go one point from third and make the gap to the rest bigger and the performance is not one you want to offer so we are very upset and sorry for the fans that were here.

“For half an hour I think we were in control but after this moment [Kaoru Mitoma’s goal] we looked like we could concede chances easily and we struggled to create chances. The reason why is because of the injuries in this moment especially with the strikers…important players are out but we need to find a solution.

“It is difficult when you don’t have a proper number nine. So you always have to find a different solution. In the last third we struggled doing things that until a week or two ago we were doing well.

“This is the worst moment since I arrived but we are still there and we need to finish in the best way.”

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, speaking to BBC Sport: “I am happy for the team. I think they defended well together and showed togetherness on the pitch. In general it was a good performance.”

On Kaoru Mitoma’s goal: “I think we have to also mention Bart Verbruggen, who made a mistake in the last game, for showing this personality and making this assist. It was a great touch and selection from Mitoma but you always need somebody to assist you.”

On responding to their heavy defeat at Nottingham Forest: “I thought the 7-0 was crazy. We don’t want things like this to happen but we analysed it and it was important to stay calm and do the basic things right. We tried to work hard and bounce back on the pitch because talking does not help in moments like this. The most important thing is we make the Seagulls supporters proud and give them what they deserved.

“I always say that I trust the process and I did not change my approach. I knew why it happened and we analysed it and I did not overreact. The players showed great character and the right reaction.”

Hurzeler speaking to Sky Sports: “I wouldn’t say it was complete, we suffered at the start and then after the first goal we got slightly too passive. We defended quite well and that was the key today. Compactness, intensity and always doing it together.”

On Kaoru Mitoma’s goal: “Sometimes you can’t explain the things from special players. It was a special action from him and he deserves it because he works hard every day. He is fully committed to this club and I am glad he got it.”

On Yankuba Minteh’s influence: “I think he tries to improve in every aspect of the game. Defensive work is key and the attacking players have to be part of it. When you commit to the team, I am convinced you will get the chances in the transition and he did.”

On Brighton bouncing back: “It is not about me. It is about the club and I give the best for the success of the club and to support my players. I get judged by the results but I will always give everything for the club and in the end, the players are the most important. They need to show togetherness and I am happy for them.

“For me, the 7-0 [loss to Nottingham Forest] is still a topic but trust the process. It is only one game and we shouldn’t overanalyse now. It happens and we are very sorry to the supporters because they deserve more but all the staff worked really hard to give the supporters a performance they deserved tonight.

“It is important to not overreact when you have positives as well. It is important to understand why we get these things, because of hard training. if we keep the standards, let’s see what happens.”

— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) February 15, 2025

Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh speaking to Sky Sports: “I think the compactness of the team was good and the team always communicate with me and push me.

“I think everybody has helped me a lot. I went to Feyenoord and played one year and now I am back in the Premier League everything is going well.”

Dreaming of European football? “Yes. Dreaming.”

Brighton striker Danny Welbeck speaking to Sky Sports: “We feel it as a group in the dressing room and the fans produce the atmosphere. A lot of stuff had happened and it comes from the fans. We just want to make it a really good game. A really good rivalry. Fierce and we want to go win for them.”

On Mitoma’s goal: “It was slow motion for me. He has got an amazing first touch. He has got a tremendous ability to bring it down and kill the ball instantly. Impeccable first touch. It is incredible. What a goal. It was a wow moment and seeing it from behind and how he brought it down. What a goal.

“He has got the potential to play for the top teams. You saw today the ability he can produce on a football pitch is amazing. There are always bits he can improve on but he works so hard and is always wanting to improve.”

On linking up with his fellow attackers: “I enjoy it. To have someone to play off. I think we have done that a lot in the recent weeks and it has been missing a little bit. The manager wants us to have those combinations and it is something we are going to keep working on.

“It was nice to get the two assists and Minteh got the two goals today. I am looking for the refund next week! When we play as individuals we are not as strong but when we play together it is amazing.”