“The atmosphere was really intense here, and we didn’t necessarily match that level of intensity from the start,” Potter said. “Clearly, Brighton were better at what they did, so we have to take that as a lesson – even though it’s a painful one for us.”
Brighton have taken just two points from a possible 15 since Potter’s departure but earned a first win under new coach Roberto De Zerbi — and the club’s first over Chelsea since 1933.
The loss means Chelsea dropped eight points behind Manchester City, who took the overnight lead in the standings by beating Leicester 1-0 away thanks to an inch-perfect free kick from Kevin De Bruyne in the second half.
Arsenal can reclaim top spot on Monday by beating last-placed Nottingham Forest at home.
City were without star striker Erling Haaland for the first time because of an ankle problem but De Bruyne made sure that didn’t matter when he curled in a set-piece from 25 yards that dipped under the crossbar and in via the post in the 49th minute.
City manager Pep Guardiola publicly challenged De Bruyne recently to raise his level even higher for the club. The quality of the free kick the Belgium playmaker produced to beat Leicester was certainly top class.
“He’s back,” Guardiola said of De Bruyne. “He was not playing good in the last games. [In this game he was] amazing. He knows it.”
Guardiola said Haaland will almost certainly be rested for the Champions League game against Sevilla but could be back for next weekend’s match against Fulham.
Tottenham came from two goals down in the second half to beat Bournemouth 3-2 and halt a run of two straight league losses, while resurgent Newcastle — who beat Spurs in the previous round — have won five of their last six after routing Aston Villa 4-0 at home.
After Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez went off with a concussion in the first half — having initially tried to play on despite looking groggy following a collision — Callum Wilson scored two for Newcastle and Joelinton and Miguel Almiron added one each.
Tottenham’s comeback meant they stayed in third place, two points ahead of fourth-placed Newcastle.
Antonio Conte was furious after his team was denied a late winner by VAR in the Champions League in midweek, but there was no stopping the Tottenham celebrations this time.
Substitute Rodrigo Bentancur scored deep in stoppage time to complete the comeback for Spurs after Kieffer Moore’s double put Bournemouth into a two-goal lead. Ryan Sessegnon started the comeback in the 57th minute and Ben Davies levelled following a corner.
“It was vital to win this game,” Conte said. “This type of win for us can help us to have more confidence and to trust much more in ourselves.”
Crystal Palace beat Southampton 1-0 at home for a third straight win while Brentford settled for 1-1 against Wolverhampton. Wolves striker Diego Costa was sent off for a headbutt deep into injury time.
Fulham had 24 efforts on goal against Everton but couldn’t convert any of them as they were held to 0-0 at Craven Cottage, while Leeds ended their four-match losing run by beating Liverpool 2-1 thanks to Crysencio Summerville’s 89th-minute goal at Anfield, easing the pressure on coach Jesse Marsch.
While Leeds climbed out of the relegation zone following their first win since August, Liverpool remained marooned in mid-table and eight points from the top four in what is proving a difficult season for Jurgen Klopp’s team.
The Reds fought back from conceding a bizarre opener in the fourth minute, when goalkeeper Alisson Becker slipped as he attempted to get to teammate Joe Gomez’s overhit pass across the face of the area. Leeds striker Rodrigo pounced and had the simplest task to tap into an empty net.
Mohamed Salah equalised by volleying home from Andrew Robertson’s left-wing cross in the 14th.
Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier produced a string of great saves before Summerville latched onto a pass inside the area from Patrick Bamford and, as Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk backed off, toe-poked a shot beyond Alisson.
