Introduction
This game was the first for two teams that ended up on the opposite side of the Premier League table last season. The previous year 4th positioned Chelsea visited Brighton and Hove Albion, who ended out of the relegation positions in the 15th place. The game did not show that difference, with the hosts being superior for most of the game. The Blues got the job done, taking advantage of Seagulls mistakes without deserving much on a 1-3 victory.
In this tactical analysis, we will go through the tactics and strategies used by both teams, showing how Graham Potter planned an excellent strategy nullifying the central attack of the Blues. This analysis will also cover how Frank Lampard incorporated their new players from the Bundesliga, bringing their transitional style.
Lineups
Potter selected a 3-5-2 formation, starting the former Leeds United player Ben White as a right-back in the back three. Former Chelsea player Tariq Lamptey began in the right wing-back with Solly March starting on the left side. Adam Lallana has his first minutes for the Seagulls, even though he was replaced early in the first half by Aaron Connolly. Upfront Neal Maupay and Leandro Trossard where the striking duo, with the last one taking the former Liverpool position after his injury.
Frank Lampard choose a 4-4-2 formation, giving confidence again to Kepa Arrizabalga as the starter on goals. With Thiago Silva waiting to start training for the Blues, Andreas Christensen paired Kurt Zouma as half-backs. César Azpilicueta was not fit enough to start, giving the starting full-backs position to Reece James and Marcos Alonso. Kai Havertz and Timo Werner made their debuts, with the former playing as an advanced midfielder on the right side and the later as a left striker. Ruben Loftus-Cheek returned to the team after his injury, supporting the German in that attacking position.
Brighton 1st half domination
Even though the Seagulls went to half time 0-1 down, they dominated the first half of the game with 63% of ball possession. The first half for the Seagulls was excellent when in possession, playing the ball out from the back. From the goal kicks, they switch their 5-3-2 shape into a 4-3-3 creating a 7 vs. 5 in their half. On the right, Lamptey sited deep as a full-back, with the three midfielders giving central options. On the left, March positioned in the Blues half with the two forwards pinning their backline and NGolo Kanté. When Kantés pressed, it created problems as we are going to see later, forcing mistakes. In the next shot, we can see their build-up shape, shifting into a back four and creating a numerical superiority to progress the ball to the middle third.
The other factor that gave the Seagulls the dominance of the first half was their tactics when out of possession. They pressed high when the Blues intended to play out from the back with two lines in a 3-2. If needed, also the wing-backs were involved pressing on the flanks when the Blues overloaded one side of the pitch. The next shot depicts the Seagulls high positioning with two pressing lines in Kepas goal kicks, ready to launch a high press, forcing the Blues to go long. They ended the first half with a 9.6 PPDA tally, being much more intense when pressing than the Blues, who accounted for a 12.1 PPDA in that first half.
When Chelsea managed to pr
