Maurizio Sarri has warned Chelsea to avoid becoming “dangerous to ourselves” after they withstood a late barrage to secure a 2-1 victory over Brighton.
Chelsea were dominant for an hour at the Amex Stadium, with first-half goals from Pedro and Eden Hazard putting them in control before Solly March’s 66th-minute strike gave Brighton renewed hope.
The result moved Chelsea clear of Arsenal — beaten 3-2 at Southampton — in fourth place in the Premier League, but Sarri was keen to stress areas for improvement.
“I think we could have won better because we played very well for 60 minutes,” he said.
“We conceded a goal in a moment in which we were in full control of the match, and so, in my mind, it was clear in that moment that we have to suffer in the last five minutes with the long balls into the box.
“We are not a physical team. With the substitutions, I tried to have a more physical impact for the last five minutes, but it was clear it was really very difficult in the last five minutes. We could have won better.
“I think that when we have the feeling of being in full control of the match, we are dangerous for ourselves. Suddenly the level of application and attention is lowered.
“The feeling when we are in confidence, when we are sure of being in control of the match, is dangerous for us.”
Sarri stuck with the same XI that defeated Manchester City last weekend, deploying Hazard as a false No. 9 with Olivier Giroud among the substitutes and Alvaro Morata sidelined by a knee injury
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