Head coach Graham Potter has acknowledged that Chelsea were handed 'a painful lesson' as they succumbed to a 4-1 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion.
On an afternoon when Potter was returning to his former club for the first time since leaving the Amex Stadium in September, the Blues found themselves 3-0 down by half time.
After Leandro Trossard had given Brighton an early lead, own goals from Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Trevoh Chalobah left Chelsea with an uphill task ahead of the second half.
Although Kai Havertz struck within minutes of the restart, Chelsea could not close the gap further, and Pascal Gross capped off a memorable afternoon for the Seagulls in added-on time.
Speaking to Sky Sports News after the game, Potter admitted that Chelsea had been second best throughout the contest against his ex-employers, hinting that tiredness may be beginning to catch up with his side after a hectic schedule.
The Englishman said: "They played well, the atmosphere was really intense here. We didn't necessarily match that level of intensity.
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"We had some opportunities to test the keeper, but it was too open and Brighton were dangerous. We were pushing and pushing and throwing players on, but Brighton deserved it. You have to say congratulations to them.
"Brighton were better at what they did, so we have to take that as a lesson – even though that's a painful one for us. You have to congratulate Brighton. The intensity was there and we suffered a little bit. The players are an honest bunch – we win and lose together – so we have to take stock and move forward."
Despite enjoyed a successful period at Brighton, Potter was jeered by large sections of the Brighton supporters, and he hinted after the game that he felt that the reaction was undeserved.
Potter told BBC Sport: "I have nothing to apologise or say sorry for. I think I did a good job at the club and left it in a good place but people are entitled to their opinions.
"It's part of the process. You have to suffer and feel pain in order to grow and get better. Nobody said we were the finished article. We have to take the pain today and learn from it."
As a result of the defeat - Potter's first in 10 matches in charge of Chelsea - the West Londoners now sit three points adrift of fourth-placed Newcastle United in the Premier League standings.
Darren Plant
