Enzo Maresca applauds one Chelsea star but shouts at another in first half against Brighton

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca saw his side go in 1-0 up at the break against Brighton at Stamford Bridge with the hosts dominating over the opening 45 minutes.

It was a neat header from Enzo Fernandez that broke the deadlock against the Seagulls, a rival that have proven tricky opposition for the Blues in 2025. Fabian Hurzeler’s side beat Chelsea 2-1 and 3-0 in February.

Fernandez, who has put in a box-to-box performance so far with good work at the back and up top, met a heavily deflected cross from Reece James. The full-back had come close to scoring himself from a set play early on, with Fernandez also making Mark Verbruggen work in between the sticks for Brighton from a dead ball situation.

Chelsea manager charismatic on Stamford Bridge touchline

Maresca will be happy with his team’s showing as he put in a traditionally charismatic performance on the touchline. Regularly being called back into his box by fourth official Ruebyn Ricardo, the former Leicester City boss was meticulous in his barking of instructions.

One player in particular who earned the praise of Maresca wasn’t the goalscorer, but winger Pedro Neto. The 25-year-old has not made the headlines this afternoon yet but looked dangerous out wide with his pace a constant threat.

It was his work off the ball that had Maresca walking up the touchline, his hands aloft in applause with 37 minutes on the clock. Prior to that moment, Neto had hounded the Brighton defence with his closing down.

The result was only a Seagulls goal kick but, with Neto looking dismayed at his hard yards not having paid off with more, had his morale boosted by his manager.

Enzo Maresca has choice words for Robert Sanchez

One Chelsea player who was on the receiving end of some firmer words from Maresca was goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. The shot-stopper had a clean sheet to his name so far on his return to the starting XI after suspension, but is perhaps lucky not to have seen a mistake punished.

The Spaniard lashed a clearance straight into Brighton man Yasin Ayari with just eight minutes on the clock, making the whole of Stamford Bridge gasp. It was nothing new for the Chelsea faithful.

Maresca kept his cool at that moment but did show his frustration with the goalkeeper at the midway point through the first half. Sanchez had opted to blast a ball long up the pitch, wasting Chelsea possession, when right-back Marc Cucurella was free.

Unhappy with that choice, Maresca could be seen bellowing the goalkeeper’s first name to get his attention. After multiple attempts, he caught Sanchez’s eye and showed his disapproval at having not played short to Cucurella - pointing at the defender and throwing his arms out.

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