Brighton spoiled Frank Lampard’s return to Stamford Bridge by winning Saturday against Chelsea (1-2). Substitutes Danny Welbeck and Julio Enciso condemned the Blues to a third defeat in three games under caretaker manager Lampard, who rested several starters ahead of the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid saw his side lead when Conor Gallagher’s heavily deflected shot beat 13th-placed Robert Sanchez on Tuesday. But the visitors, under coach Roberto De Zerbi, proved superior afterwards and equalized when Welbeck snuck between two defenders to score a header (42nd). The Seagulls got the second goal they deserved when Enciso scored with an unstoppable strike from 25 yards out in the 69th minute, boosting Brighton’s hopes to play in Europe for the first time in its history next season. The result leaves the Seagulls in 7th place in the Premier League, five points ahead of Liverpool. Chelsea remain stuck in 11th place and their only hope of lifting a trophy this season hinges on their ability to topple reigning European champions Real Madrid at home on Tuesday.
For their part, Tottenham missed a golden opportunity to revive their hopes of finishing in the Premier League’s top four by losing 3-2 to Bournemouth at the last minute. Dango Ouattara’s superb goal (90th 5) caused a stir supporters of the south coast club, while those of Tottenham headed for the exit. The defeat of Newcastle United (third) at Aston Villa had however paved the way. Spurs took the lead in the 14th minute through Son Heung-min. The South Korean was denied a second goal by an exceptional save from Neto, the Bournemouth goalkeeper, but Tottenham lost the lead and an error by Pedro Porro in defense was punished by the equalizer from Matias Vina (38th ).Bournemouth then thrilled the visiting supporters when Dominic Solanke deceived Hugo Lloris with a shot from close range, six minutes after the break.Tottenham, who could have passed Manchester United (4th) for at least 24 hours with a victory, upped their intensity and Danjuma’s left-footed strike set the stage for a frenetic end to the game. deceived Lloris. Tottenham remain in fifth place with 53 points from 31 games, three behind Manchester United and Newcastle United who have played 29 and 30 games respectively. Bournemouth’s survival prospects are now much brighter as they face 33 points, six clear of second-bottom Nottingham Forest.
