Chelsea vs Brighton LIVE! Carabao Cup result, match stream and latest updates today

Chelsea vs Brighton LIVE!

Chelsea earned a much-needed and morale-boosting win in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night. Nicolas Jackson netted the only goal of the game shortly after half-time to answer his own critics and ease the early pressure on manager Mauricio Pochettino after a torrid start to life in the Stamford Bridge dugout.

The Senegalese forward also saw a second ruled out for offside after linking up brilliantly with Chelsea’s full debutant Cole Palmer, but the hosts still clung on to defeat Roberto De Zerbi’s high-flying Seagulls and seal a spot in round four, where they will be heavy favourites to progress again past Championship outfit Blackburn Rovers.

The win over Brighton was only Chelsea’s third in eight matches across all competitions so far this term and Jackson’s cool strike ended a dire run of three successive games without scoring in a boost before Monday’s west London derby trip to Fulham. Follow Chelsea vs Brighton reaction with Standard Sport’s live blog below, featuring expert analysis from Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea vs Brighton highlights

• GOOAA...NO! Jackson has second ruled out

• GOAL! Jackson scores from lovely Palmer assist

• Ugochukwu lucky to avoid first-half red card

Chelsea FC 1 - 0 Brighton & Hove Albion FC

Chelsea 1-0 Brighton

21:43 , George Flood

Full-time

It wasn’t pretty, but that’s a much-needed and morale-boosting win for the Blues.

Nicolas Jackson answers his critics and eases some of the early pressure on Pochettino to book a spot in round four of the Carabao Cup.

Just Chelsea’s third win of the season and that dire goalless run is finally over.

Chelsea 1-0 Brighton

21:40 , George Flood

95 mins: Chilwell won’t be able to carry on here as he limps around the pitch with the Chelsea physios.

Pochettino has already used his allotted subs and the Blues will finish the 90 minutes with 10 men.

Chelsea 1-0 Brighton

21:38 , George Flood

93 mins: What a chance for Brighton to level late on!

Lamptey’s cross is headed away by Disasi, with Pedro then leaning back as he whistles a vicious volley narrowly over the top.

More injury concern for Chelsea here with Chilwell down after a tussle with Gilmour at the start of that attack.

Chelsea 1-0 Brighton

21:36 , George Flood

92 mins: Broja is flagged offside to thwart a promising and pacy Chelsea counter-attack, with Pochettino furious at the decision.

He makes his feelings known and receives a yellow card from referee Thomas Bramall for his troubles.

Chelsea 1-0 Brighton

21:34 , George Flood

90 mins: That’s a good take from Estupinan but his effort ends up going well wide of the back post.

SEVEN minutes of added time for Brighton to try and force a penalty shootout.

Can Chelsea see out a rare win?

Chelsea 1-0 Brighton

21:31 , George Flood

86 mins: Pedro gets beyond Cucurella to the byline and tries to pick out Welbeck inside the six-yard box, but the ball had gone out of play.

Jackson, who is suspended for Chelsea for the Premier League west London derby against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday night, now goes off with that wrist problem.

Armando Broja is on and quickly earns Chelsea a corner.

Chelsea 1-0 Brighton

21:27 , George Flood

Chelsea 1-0 Brighton

21:26 , George Flood

82 mins: Brighton are still probing but they are really struggling to break Chelsea down now inside the final 10 minutes.

The Blues are heading into the Carabao Cup fourth round, as things stand.

If there is an equaliser, this would go straight to penalties with no extra time.

Chelsea 1-0 Brighton

21:23 , George Flood

78 mins: Brighton replace Buonanotte with Adam Lallana.

Jackson is knocked down by Lamptey and in putting his hands out to cushion the fall, hurts that strained wrist again.

He needs more treatment, but wants to come back on and play through the pain.

Chelsea 1-0 Brighton

21:21 , George Flood

76 mins: Pochettino sends on Enzo Fernandez and Conor Gallagher for Maatsen and Palmer.

A fine full Chelsea debut from Palmer tonight.

Chelsea 1-0 Brighton

21:18 , George Flood

74 mins: March is all alone inside the Chelsea box to fire a thumping diving header on target, with Sanchez in a good position to parry.

A warning for the hosts not to get too comfortable sitting on this narrow lead.

Chelsea 1-0 Brighton

21:17 , George Flood

73 mins: GOOOOA....NO!

Jackson fires what he thinks is his second goal of the night beyond Verbruggen and into the far bottom corner after another flick from Palmer.

He runs off in celebration again, but the offside flag is up. That must have been very, very tight.

Chelsea 1-0 Brighton

21:16 , George Flood

72 mins: Cucurella is fired up in this game and clashes with Welbeck, no doubt spurred on by the boos from the travelling fans.

Chelsea 1-0 Brighton

21:14 , George Flood

70 mins: Another Brighton change sees De Zerbi send on 18-year-old midfielder Jack Hinshelwood.

Dahoud makes way.

Chelsea 1-0 Brighton

21:11 , George Flood

68 mins: Raheem Sterling is coming on for Chelsea with just over 20 minutes left to play in this Carabao Cup third-round tie.

He replaces Mudryk, who had a good game tonight. Busy and tenacious.

Chelsea 1-0 Brighton

21:11 , George Flood

66 mins: Brighton want a penalty after Buonanotte goes down in the Chelsea box, under pressure from Colwill.

Referee Thomas Bramall is rightly not interested.

A wild strike from Dahoud then sums up Brighton’s frustrations.

Chelsea 1-0 Brighton

21:09 , George Flood

64 mins: Baleba can’t continue and former Chelsea starlet Billy Gilmour is on in his place, getting a warm reception from the home fans.

De Zerbi also sends on Danny Welbeck for Mitoma.

Chelsea 1-0 Brighton

21:06 , George Flood

62 mins: That’s a huge save from the foot of Verbruggen to deny Jackson a second goal for Chelsea.

Tenacious stuff from Mudryk to set up that chance.

Now Baleba is down for Brighton and in some discomfort.

Chelsea 1-0 Brighton

21:05 , George Flood

Chelsea 1-0 Brighton

21:05 , George Flood

60 mins: Brighton are pressing for an equaliser on the hour mark as March’s corner from the left is met with a very difficult twisting header from Baleba, with the ball drifting harmlessly wide of the back post.

Baleba had gotten away from Jackson.

Chelsea 1-0 Brighton

21:03 , George Flood

57 mins: Van Hecke is having a bit of a nightmare at the moment for Brighton.

Buonanotte fouls Colwill and then clashes with Chilwell as tempers flare.

A warning for both men from referee Thomas Bramall.

Chelsea 1-0 Brighton

21:00 , George Flood

54 mins: The tempo has increased notably from both sides after the opening goal.

Palmer is having a great night for Chelsea so far.

But Brighton are still a threat, especially as Sanchez’s woeful kicking continues. He is so uncomfortable.

Baleba has a shot blocked behind for the visitors.

Chelsea 1-0 Brighton

20:57 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

Nicolas Jackson scores! He needed that and so did Chelsea, who were without a goal in nearly 350 minutes.

A cracking assist from Cole Palmer who delivered a cute assist through the defender’s legs.

GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Brighton | Nicolas Jackson 50'

20:54 , George Flood

50 mins: Jackson answers his critics with the opener and his second Chelsea goal!

Brighton lose possession with a heavy touch and the Blues pour forward, Caicedo finding Maatsen, who plays through to Palmer.

The former Manchester City starlet executes a lovely nutmeg on Van Hecke into the path of Jackson, who coolly strokes home with Verbruggen rooted to the spot.

That will do his confidence the world of good.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

20:53 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

Sanchez is now playing with his back to Brighton’s away end and to chants of “you’re just a s**t Jason Steele”.

A test of nerve after a tough first half for the Spaniard.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

20:52 , George Flood

48 mins: Chelsea are under siege at the moment and cannot clear their lines.

Brighton are pumping balls into the box and asking real questions of this Blues defence, though Chilwell does well to prevent another corner.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

20:51 , George Flood

47 mins: Brighton are immediately on the offensive at the start of the second half, Mitoma getting to the byline and seeing a cross turned behind.

Van Hecke almost connects with the corner.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

20:49 , George Flood

The second half is underway at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea unchanged, while Brighton have replaced Fati with Solly March.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

20:46 , George Flood

So another goalless half from Chelsea - their seventh in a row.

They haven’t scored since the 2-1 comeback win over AFC Wimbledon in the second round of this competition on August 30.

And Brighton had the two best chances in that half, Pedro putting onto the roof of the net and Sanchez atoning for his gaffe there by denying Fati.

Huge improvement needed from Chelsea and nothing up front, as usual.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

20:40 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

Baleba took a piledriver tackle from Ugochukwu - almost identical to Malo Gusto’s red-card challenge but not given by referee Thomas Bramall and no VAR tonight.

And Ugochukwu was on a yellow card!

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

20:34 , George Flood

Half-time

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

20:34 , George Flood

47 mins: Chelsea have a chance to take a last-gasp lead into the break, but Palmer can only flick Mudryk’s low ball wide of the front post under pressure from Igor.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

20:33 , George Flood

45 mins: Two minutes of added time have been signalled.

Ugochukwu, now on a yellow card, steams into a challenge on Baleba and follows through onto the ankle.

He gets away with it! If there was VAR, he would definitely have been sent off for that.

Chelsea very fortunate. Similar to Malo Gusto’s challenge on Lucas Digne on Sunday.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

20:31 , George Flood

44 mins: Ugochukwu stands sharply on the foot of Mitoma and has his name taken.

Brighton’s stand-in captain Estupinan is also into the book, not sure what for. Dissent I think.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

20:30 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

It is so bad for Robert Sanchez that his own supporters are giving ironic cheers when he completes a pass.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

20:30 , George Flood

42 mins: Chilwell’s clipped free-kick into the Brighton box is headed away by Igor before Ugochukwu blasts off target with a deflection off Baleba.

Chelsea keep the attack alive with a lofted ball to Cucurella at the back post, but the Spaniard is offside.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

20:28 , George Flood

40 mins: Good defensive work from Maatsen to get back and shut down Mitoma, helping out Cucurella.

Ugochukwu then leaves Buonanotte in a heap before Baleba takes out Caicedo and receives the first yellow card of the evening.

A challenge too far from Brighton’s teenage debutant in midfield.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

20:25 , George Flood

38 mins: Igor misses a sliding challenge on Mudryk in the box but Lamptey has far more success with his own.

Chelsea fans are baying for a penalty, but replays show their academy graduate clearly got the ball - no VAR in this competition, remember.

Sanchez aims another kick out of play. What is going on?

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

20:23 , George Flood

35 mins: Van Hecke almost plays Brighton into trouble before Baleba clips Mudryk to stop a Chelsea counter, with the home fans furious that referee Thomas Bramall did not play the advantage in the middle of the park.

Chelsea try to release Jackson but he doesn’t time his run and the offside flag is up.

Brighton are hunting down Sanchez so fast every time he has the ball at his feet, sensing an opportunity.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

20:21 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

That save aside, Sanchez is struggling against his former club.

It is like Brighton know how to exploit his weaknesses in his passing game with their press.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

20:19 , George Flood

33 mins: Caicedo is caught in possession by Baleba just outside the Brighton box and Sanchez makes a big save to deny Fati.

Caicedo is furious with the referee - he feels like that was a foul.

A big let-off for Chelsea.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

20:16 , George Flood

30 mins: Chelsea are briefly down to 10 men as Brighton gift possession to Palmer, who bends a shot around Van Hecke and into the grateful arms of Verbruggen.

An easy save.

Jackson returns to the action with some strapping around his wrist.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

20:14 , George Flood

28 mins: Jackson tussles with Baleba inside the box and wants a penalty, but referee Thomas Bramall isn’t interested.

Jackson stays down as well, having hurt his wrist during an awkward landing.

He will go off for treatment.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

20:13 , George Flood

27 mins: When Chelsea do pick up the ball, they are being pressed relentlessly.

Caicedo is being pressured by Dahoud before the jittery Sanchez hooks another kick straight out of play.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

20:11 , George Flood

25 mins: Brighton are absolutely dominating possession at the moment, stroking the ball around very casually indeed with Chelsea content to sit off and let them have it.

Very uninspiring stuff from Pochettino’s men once again.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

20:09 , George Flood

24 mins: Sanchez drops an absolute clanger against his former club, inexplicably playing the ball straight out to Pedro.

He watches on with relief as the Brazilian then lofts his effort onto the roof of the net.

That should have been 1-0 Brighton.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

20:08 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

Brighton supporters are enjoying baiting Chelsea over their transfer business.

Each new signing is being targeted with chants of “what a waste of money.”

Of course, they can sit from their smug position as a club widely praised for signing well.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

20:08 , George Flood

22 mins: Dahoud arrows a shot well wide for Brighton after good work from Pedro.

Just before, Disasi had asked far too much of Maatsen with a poor ball forward.

A real lack of quality from both sides just at the moment in this third-round tie.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

20:06 , George Flood

20 mins: Disasi loses control of a Cucurella pass in a dangerous area and is thankful to see the referee award a free-kick for a clip from Pedro.

Chelsea could have been in a lot of trouble there.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

20:04 , George Flood

18 mins: Plenty of probing from Brighton at the moment, but Disasi snuffs out the threat posed by Pedro with a clearance and Lamptey’s delivery from the right is straight into the gloves of Sanchez.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

20:02 , George Flood

15 mins: Cucurella is outmuscled by Mitoma but dusts himself off to get up and block a cross from the Japanese winger.

He then berates referee Thomas Bramall for not awarding the free-kick.

The Brighton corner passes without incident.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

20:00 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

Cole Palmer is looking bright on his first Chelsea start, he has linked well with both Jackson and Mudryk so far.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

19:59 , George Flood

13 mins: That’s a crucial last-ditch intervention from Igor to thwart Jackson and concede another corner.

Palmer and Mudryk are linking up well early for Chelsea here, but that’s another poor final pass from the Ukrainian that rolls harmlessly out of play to kill another attack and draw more ironic cheers from the travelling fans.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

19:56 , George Flood

10 mins: Barcelona loanee Fati drives forward with purpose through the middle for Brighton, eventually laying off for Pedro.

The former Watford forward’s long-range effort is blocked well by Colwill.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

19:54 , George Flood

7 mins: Jackson catches Baleba in possession in a dangerous area just outside the Brighton box before seeing a hopeful shot deflected off target.

More panic in the Seagulls’ defence but Chilwell is flagged offside at an important moment.

Some lovely touches and passes from Palmer early on for Chelsea.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

19:51 , George Flood

6 mins: Mudryk and Maatsen heavily involved for Chelsea early on here as they look to break the deadlock.

Brighton’s noisy travelling support revel in a couple of rogue kicks from Sanchez.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

19:50 , George Flood

4 mins: Mudryk looks to test Brighton ‘keeper Verbruggen with a shot that is straight at the Dutchman.

Now here come Brighton on the break as the ever-dangerous Mitoma cuts in off the left and darts past Cucurella before pulling back from the byline for Fati in the six-yard box.

It’s cut out at the last as Chelsea survive.

Mitoma vs Cucurella could be a complete mismatch.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

19:48 , George Flood

2 min: A positive start again from Chelsea, though Mudryk is met with ironic cheers from the away end after overhitting a simple final pass on the counter.

A lovely reverse ball from Palmer into the box for Maatsen, who earns a corner.

Loud boos from the Brighton fans for Cucurella, Sanchez and Caicedo.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

19:47 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

It looks like Cucurella is playing at right-back, Chilwell at left-back, Maatsen right wing.

I fear for an out-of-form Cucurella at right-back.

Chelsea vs Brighton

19:46 , George Flood

KICK-OFF

Underway at Stamford Bridge!

Can Brighton pile more misery on the club that have taken so many of their key assets over the last year?

Chelsea in their familiar blue home strips, with Brighton in bright crimson.

Chelsea vs Brighton

19:42 , George Flood

Here come the teams at Stamford Bridge!

Chilwell leads out Chelsea as he takes the armband back from Gallagher with James sidelined.

Chelsea vs Brighton

19:41 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

A funny little detail is Nottingham Forest loanee Andrey Santos has accidentally been added to the team sheet instead of Cole Palmer tonight.

Santos had the no20 shirt before Palmer joined.

Chelsea vs Brighton

19:40 , George Flood

A big night in store for this man.

Can Moises Caicedo shine against his former club?

Chelsea vs Brighton

19:27 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

If Chelsea are playing their usual 4-2-3-1 system then there are some interesting choices from Mauricio Pochettino tonight.

It could be Axel Disasi at right-back with Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella at centre-back and Ian Maatsen at left-back. It feels like a defence very much lacking in height but the choice has been made to rest Thiago Silva.

Of course, Malo Gusto is suspended tonight, adding to Pochettino's woes.

Cole Palmer makes his full debut for Chelsea. He earned this shot with three good cameo performances from the bench.

19:26 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella makes sense of that Chelsea team news at Stamford Bridge...

Seven Brighton changes from De Zerbi

19:18 , George Flood

Brighton, meanwhile, make seven changes to the team that beat Bournemouth 3-1 in the top-flight on Sunday.

Only Bart Verbruggen, Pervis Estupinan, Mahmoud Dahoud and Facundo Buonanotte retain their starting berths.

Former Chelsea defender Tariq Lamptey starts at right-back, but fellow Stamford Bridge academy graduate Billy Gilmour is on the bench.

Lamptey comes into the starting XI along with Igor, Jan Paul van Hecke, Kaoru Mitoma, Ansu Fati and Joao Pedro.

There’s a full debut for teenage Cameroonian midfielder Carlos Baleba, a summer signing from Lille.

No Evan Ferguson for Brighton, with Pascal Gross and James Milner also still out.

Chelsea make five changes from Aston Villa defeat

19:09 , George Flood

Mauricio Pochettino makes five changes to the Chelsea team that lost at home to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday.

Axel Disasi presumably moves to right-back with no Reece James and Malo Gusto suspended, with Ian Maatsen and Marc Cucurella coming in with Thiago Silva rested entirely.

So is that Levi Colwill and Cucurella as centre-backs with Maatsen at left-back?

Or Disasi and Colwill at CB with Maatsen and Cucurella the full-backs? How about a back three of Colwill, Disasi and Cucurella with Maatsen and Chilwell the wing-backs? Very interesting from Pochettino, whatever the case.

Lesley Ugochukwu replaces Conor Gallagher in midfield, while Cole Palmer does indeed make his first Chelsea start as vice-captain Ben Chilwell returns.

Enzo Fernandez and Raheem Sterling drop to the bench along with Gallagher, while Nicolas Jackson leads the line again with his one-match suspension for picking up five yellow cards already this season not being served until the top-flight west London derby against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday night.

The fit-again Armando Broja is on the bench once more, along with Deivid Washington and other youngsters in Alex Matos, Alfie Gilchrist and Josh Brooking.

Still no Chelsea debut for Djordje Petrovic as Robert Sanchez keeps his place in goal, starting along with fellow former Brighton stars Moises Caicedo, Colwill and Cucurella.

Chelsea vs Brighton teams in full

19:00 , George Flood

Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Disasi, Colwill, Cucurella, Maatsen, Ugochukwu, Caicedo, Mudryk, Palmer, Chilwell, Jackson

Subs: Petrovic, Brooking, Gilchrist, Gallagher, Fernandez, Matos, Sterling, Washington, Broja

Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Lamptey, Van Hecke, Igor, Estupinan, Baleba, Dahoud, Buonanotte, Fati, Mitoma, Joao Pedro

Subs: Steele, Dunk, March, Gilmour, Lallana, Welbeck, Adingra, Veltman, Hinshelwood

Brighton lineup

18:47 , George Flood

And here’s the Brighton team at Stamford Bridge:

Chelsea lineup

18:47 , George Flood

Here’s how Chelsea line up tonight:

Injured Chelsea captain James facing possible ban

18:36 , George Flood

Reece James is inching closer to a return for Chelsea as he continues to get up to speed following his latest frustrating hamstring injury setback.

However, the Blues captain is now facing a potential ban having this afternoon been charged by the FA following an alleged incident in the tunnel that took place after Sunday’s 1-0 Premier League defeat by Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.

James has been accused of using “improper and/or insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour towards a match official” - a breach of FA rule E3, having reportedly confronted referee Jarred Gillett.

He has until Friday to respond to the charge.

Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk recently got a one-match suspension on top of his existing ban after being charged with a similar offence following his sending off at Newcastle last month.

18:29 , George Flood

Stamford Bridge is looking lovely on this warm if overcast September evening in west London.

If Chelsea are to improve on their ongoing hangover from last season, then they simply must turn things around here.

They cannot continue to lose these home matches in such limp fashion.

Chelsea vs Brighton

18:18 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

Billy Gilmour is out inspecting the pitch at his old stomping ground.

It is hard not to get flashbacks of his masterclass first two midfield performances against Liverpool and Everton in epic Chelsea matches.

Pochettino has no problem with Eghbali visits

18:13 , George Flood

Also in the news this week were reports that Chelsea’s co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali had been visiting the dressing room and Mauricio Pochettino’s office after games this season.

While he has not been addressing the squad, it is an interesting approach nevertheless given the huge backlash to Todd Boehly’s visit after the home Premier League defeat by Brighton in April in which he delivered a speech that called their season “embarrassing”.

Pochettino confirmed the visits at his pre-match press conference and insisted he is a fan of the practise, having experienced it throughout his managerial career so far.

He also confirmed that Chelsea’s co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart also visit the dressing room regularly along with Eghbali.

"I like when the owners come," Pochettino said.

"In all my career as a coach, at Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain before and after. I think it is good that the owner came to the dressing room.

"It's the way they approach the player is important, if they are in a good way then they are very welcome. After my press conference after the game against Aston Villa, they came and chill with us, like normally.

"Also against Liverpool, Luton, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, they came with Paul and Laurence and Behdad.

"We talk about the game. I don't see it in a bad way. For me, it's good always if they share with us and they can say hello to the players. It would be different if they came for a speech or something, but with the way that they came of course they are very welcome.

"They own the club, they can do whatever they want. We are so glad they came and shared with us – even when it's good things and we won the game, but even on Sunday where we lost and we are suffering."

Pochettino: Chelsea job not as hard as Tottenham or Southampton

17:50 , George Flood

Mauricio Pochettino is already under fire from certain sections of a frustrated Chelsea fanbase after a dismal start to the season that has seen his side win just twice - against Luton and AFC Wimbledon - in seven matches and now go three in a row without scoring.

However, despite those high-profile struggles and the intense spotlight, the Argentine has made headlines in the build-up to Brighton’s visit tonight by claiming that the Stamford Bridge rebuild is not nearly as foreboding as the ones he successfully pulled off in his two previous jobs in English football.

Indeed, Pochettino seems to believe his team are performing perfectly well at the moment, just without scoring nearly enough goals.

"It's less hard than when we were in Southampton and Tottenham, trust me," he told reporters on Tuesday. "Believe me.

"The only thing we are missing is scoring goals, because the team is playing, if you see our first few months in Southampton and Tottenham, I think we (Chelsea) are playing much better.

"We are doing much better here, but we are missing the most important (thing) in football - to score. But it's not harder than the previous experience.

"It was different (at Tottenham). The transformation was with us, in the way that we found the squad, with the club, we were working in six months, one year to change and design.

"Here, the plan was already made, and we arrived here and we tried to develop this project. When I arrived here, the plan had started to work. Now I am part of the plan. Of course I am responsible here also like in Tottenham, but I think it was a little bit different."

Chelsea vs Brighton prediction

17:37 , George Flood

It feels like whatever team Brighton put out, their confidence - and Chelsea’s lack of it - will see them win whoever is in front of them.

This is a team playing with no fear, against a team heading in the opposite direction and with sections of the fanbase already turning on the manager.

Mauricio Pochettino still has plenty of injuries and suspensions to juggle, meaning his options are limited to change things too much, so I cannot see too much improvement unless Roberto De Zerbi opts for a far weaker XI.

Brighton to win, in extra time.

Brighton team news

17:33 , George Flood

For Brighton, midfielders Pascal Gross and James Milner both missed Sunday’s 3-1 home win over Bournemouth in the Premier League sealed courtesy of Kaoru Mitoma’s brace and will not return tonight.

Star forward Evan Ferguson started that game on the south coast but was replaced by Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati at half-time and may miss out this evening having not fully recovered from knee trouble.

"Pascal and James Milner will miss this one,” De Zerbi - who will also make changes tonight - told reporters at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

"I have not decided about Evan yet, I would like him to play at his best. He wasn't in his best physical condition on Sunday but he wanted to play.

"We need the best condition of the players if we want to compete every three days. We have to change the 11 and take the best decisions game-by-game."

Julio Enciso and Jakub Moder also remain sidelined for the Seagulls.

Chelsea team news

17:26 , George Flood

Mauricio Pochettino should shake things up tonight in an attempt to spark a reaction from his struggling team, though a lengthy absentee list is still proving rather restrictive in that regard.

Cole Palmer could be in line for his full Chelsea debut following that £42.5million deadline day switch from Manchester City, having impressed off the bench against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Fellow summer signing Djordje Petrovic could make his first appearance between the posts in relief of No1 goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, while Armando Broja made a late cameo against Villa on his first appearance for nine months after ACL surgery and will be pushing to start tonight.

Malo Gusto is suspended for Chelsea after his red card on Sunday, though Nicolas Jackson’s one-match ban for already collecting five yellows this season won’t be enforced until the weekend.

Captain Reece James is still sidelined and could now be facing a ban of his own, with Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia, Christopher Nkunku, Carney Chukwuemeka, Trevoh Chalobah and Marcus Bettinelli also remaining unavailable to Pochettino.

Marc Cucurella, Ben Chilwell, Lesley Ugochukwu and Noni Madueke will also be hoping to be rotated in from the off tonight.

Where to watch Chelsea vs Brighton

17:19 , George Flood

TV channel and live stream: In the UK, tonight’s game has not been picked for live television coverage, with Manchester City vs Newcastle on Sky Sports instead.

Highlights: Sky Sports’ official Twiter and YouTube channels will show highlights after the game, while ITV1 will offer a free-to-air highlights show from the third round at 12.05am BST tonight.

Chelsea vs Aston Villa live

17:15 , George Flood

Chelsea remain desperate for a win as they make a midweek return to Carabao Cup duty tonight.

The struggling Blues are up against it once more this evening as they take on a high-flying Brighton team under Roberto De Zerbi who will no doubt be chomping at the bit to inflict more pain on the club that has taken so many of their prized assets over the last 12 months to no avail.

Sunday’s latest miserable home loss to Aston Villa in which Chelsea were punished for their ill-discipline means they have won just two of their first seven competitive matches across all competitions under Mauricio Pochettino, who has urged his team to grow up as they search for some sort of form, rhythm or consistency.

A run of three successive matches without scoring has really laid bare the lack of a striking focal point in their huge squad still, despite the more than £1billion lavished on new players during the last three transfer windows under the ownership of Todd Boehly and Clearlake.

Will anything change tonight? Kick-off in this third-round tie is at 7:45pm BST, so stay tuned for match build-up, team news and live updates, plus expert analysis from the Evening Standard’s Chelsea correspondent Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge.