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Brighton logo
Premier League | Gameweek 34
May 15, 2024 at 7.45pm UK
The American Express Community Stadium
Chelsea logo

Brighton
1 - 2
Chelsea

Welbeck (90+7')
Dunk (29'), Verbruggen (81')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Palmer (34'), Nkunku (64')
Sterling (77'), Caicedo (79')
James (88')

Key Chelsea defender to miss start of next season

Key Chelsea defender to miss start of next season
© Reuters
A key Chelsea defender is in line to miss the start of next season after Wednesday's victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League.

Chelsea have been handed a blow with Reece James in line to miss the start of next season.

On Wednesday night, the Blues would deliver a victory over Brighton & Hove Albion that could prove to be their biggest of the season.

Goals from Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku helped Chelsea secure a 2-1 win that has guaranteed they will finish in the top seven of the Premier League standings.

While a draw against Bournemouth on Sunday would guarantee sixth, and lead to Europa football, defeat and victory for Newcastle United at Brentford would leave European qualification hanging in the balance courtesy of Manchester United featuring in the FA Cup final.

However, it was not all positivity for Mauricio Pochettino's side at the Amex Stadium with Mykhaylo Mudryk needing to be withdrawn during the first half through a head injury.

Chelsea's Cole Palmer scores against Brighton & Hove Albion on May 15, 2024© Reuters

James red card sours night on South coast

With 21 minutes remaining, Pochettino made the decision to introduce James for just his second substitute outing since undergoing hamstring surgery in December.

James had been brought on to ideal effect on Saturday, providing the assist for Nicolas Jackson's winner at Nottingham Forest, but that would not be the case versus the Seagulls.

With two minutes plus added-on time remaining, James kicked out at Joao Pedro after being knocked to the ground on the halfway line, leading to VAR getting involved.

The decision was made to punish James's petulance with a straight red card, with Chelsea subsequently having to see out the remainder of the contest with 10 men.

Danny Welbeck would halve the deficit in the 98th minute, yet the West Londoners were able to hold on for what could prove to be a pivotal triumph.

Chelsea's Reece James leaves the pitch after being shown a red card by referee Simon Hooper on November 25, 2023© Reuters

What now for James?

Pochettino has previously spoken about wanting James to finish the season strongly in a bid to earn a place in England's Euro 2024 squad.

Instead, the 24-year-old will now miss Sunday's encounter against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge, as well as the first three games of the 2024-25 campaign.

That is a consequence of James already receiving a red card this season when he was cautioned twice during the 4-1 defeat at Newcastle United in November.

Unless Chelsea are involved in a qualifying round for a European competition, it effectively means James will not represent Chelsea in a competitive fixture until September.

James also ends this season, one in which he has spent as club captain, with two red cards in just 482 minutes of football, as well as serving a one-match ban for comments made to a match official when Chelsea lost to Aston Villa in September.

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How you voted: Brighton vs Chelsea

Brighton & Hove Albion
14.1%
Draw
13.0%
Chelsea
72.9%
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Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino during defeat to Arsenal on April 23, 2024.
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City97202091123
2Liverpool97111751222
3Arsenal95311710718
4Aston Villa95311611518
5Chelsea95221911817
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton94411612416
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest9441117416
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs94141810813
9Brentford94141818013
10Fulham93331212012
11Bournemouth93331111012
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle9333910-112
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham93241316-311
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd9324811-311
15Leicester CityLeicester92341317-49
16Everton92341016-69
17Crystal Palace9135611-56
18Ipswich TownIpswich9045920-114
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves90271225-132
20Southampton9018619-131


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