Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior launched a strong criticism of his players after a 3-0 defeat to Brighton, describing the performance as “unacceptable” and lacking basic footballing ability.

Goals from Ferdi Kadioglu, Jack Hinshelwood and Danny Welbeck secured a comfortable win for Brighton at the Amex Stadium, leaving Chelsea’s hopes of a top-five finish under serious threat.

The result extended Chelsea’s poor run, with five consecutive league defeats without scoring – their worst sequence since 1912. They have now lost seven of their last eight matches in all competitions and sit seventh, seven points off the Champions League places.

Rosenior made it clear the issue went beyond tactics.

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“I can’t defend that performance,” he said. “It doesn’t represent this football club or anything I ask from the group. That has to change.

“Tonight was not tactical. This was about desire, spirit, courage and I did not see enough of that. Nowhere near good enough.”

The Chelsea manager also accepted responsibility for the result but stressed that standards must improve quickly, especially with an FA Cup semi-final against Leeds approaching.

“I’m not here to make excuses. That was unacceptable from everyone involved, with me at the head of it,” he added. “Tackles, duels, intensity, energy – all lacking.”

However, defender Trevoh Chalobah offered a different view, insisting effort was not the issue.

“I thought the boys were running their socks off,” he said. “We gave everything, we just got beat.”

With results slipping and frustration growing among supporters, Chelsea face a crucial period as they look to steady their season.

– AFP

Photo: Julian Finney/Getty Images