Liam Rosenior admits only three Chelsea players ‘gave everything’ in Brighton defeat

Liam Rosenior admits only three of his Chelsea players ‘gave everything’ during their 3-0 defeat to Brighton on Tuesday night.

Chelsea have now lost five league games without scoring a goal for the first time since 1912 as they sank to a deserved defeat away to Brighton at the Amex Stadium.

Goals from Ferdi Kadioglu, Jack Hinshelwood and Danny Welbeck sealed the win for Brighton, who leapfrog Chelsea into sixth place in the Premier League.

Chelsea, meanwhile, failed to register a shot on target, while supporters called for Rosenior’s sacking in the second half.

‘For the fans, honestly, apologise, that’s unacceptable,’ Rosenior told Chelsea TV after the game.

‘I will defend the players when they deserve to be defended. Three or four of them gave everything, I’m not going to name names but three or four is not good enough.

‘I have my own ideas about what needs to happen at this club moving forward. All I can do at the moment is apologise to the fans for what we put in today.’

In his post-match press conference, Rosenior was also asked about Chelsea’s supporters calling for his sacking at the Amex Stadium.

‘I think for the supporters, I understand. I understand their frustration,’ Rosenior said.

‘It’s my job as the head coach and the manager of the football club. The buck stops with me. I have thick skin and I understand why the fans are frustrated. I’m frustrated with the performances we’re putting in.

‘I’ve just got to keep working hard with the staff, with the players but what I do need to do is really look at how we go about games, the personnel of the team, who I can trust and rely on in difficult moments, because not enough players showed that today in the game.’

Asked if he is taking a risk with his criticism of his own players, Rosenior replied: ‘I’ve always said I will be honest, and I’ve been honest with the players. I’m honest with you, as honest as I can.

‘I’m not throwing anyone under the bus. That was an unacceptable performance. And I’m at the head of that.

‘So for me to come out here, we’re playing for Chelsea. I’m managing Chelsea. The criticism and pressure comes with the football club. So if you can’t handle that, then you shouldn’t be here. It’s as simple as that.

‘And that’s something that needs to be addressed this week. But it also needs to be addressed in the long term. It needs to be addressed.’

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