Roberto De Zerbi paid a glowing tribute to Graham Potter after Brighton piled on the agony for struggling Chelsea and recorded their first ever win at Stamford Bridge.
Conor Gallagher had fired the Blues into a fortuitous early lead, but even the first goal of Frank Lampard’s interim tenure failed to knock the Seagulls out of their stride.
Danny Welbeck headed home an equaliser shortly after his introduction as a first-half substitute and Julio Cesar Enciso scored a sensational winner with 20 minutes remaining.
Potter’s work at Brighton over the course of his three years on the south coast convinced Chelsea to take the plunge on him back in September before making the ruthless decision to part company with the 47-year-old earlier this month.
De Zerbi, however, has taken Brighton to another level but he was quick to thank his predecessor after masterminding one of the biggest wins of his tenure to date.
‘I have to say thanks to Graham Potter because I found a very great and strong team and I am now trying to give my idea,’ he said in his post-match press conference.
‘It’s an amazing day for us.,’ the Italian added when speaking to the BBC. ‘The result, the performance.
This game gives more energy, more confidence, more enthusiasm to finish the season in the best way.
‘Now we have to prepare for the semi-final. We’d like to play the final. To do that we’ll have to win.’
Brighton’s attention will now switch to preparing for next weekend’s FA Cup semi-final at Wembley against Manchester United where they will provide a stern test for Erik ten Hag’s depleted side.
‘We are a serious team with serious players,’ he said. ‘Nothing changes. We work a normal week. We would like to make our fans happy.’
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