Enzo Maresca's Chelsea encountered the same game plan in the same building as their FA Cup loss to Brighton last weekend, and again failed to answer the bell.

Enzo Maresca accused his Chelsea side of a lack of desire as he labelled Friday night’s defeat to Brighton the “worst performance” of his tenure. Chelsea’s miserable run of midseason form continued as a sensational goal from Kaoru Mitoma was followed by Yankuba Minteh’s double.

Enzo Maresca hopes Chelsea will be boosted by the return of five first team players by the time his side play Tottenham Hotspur on April 2. Chelsea suffered another setback this week when a scan on Nicolas Jackson showed his hamstring problem sustained against West Ham United was more serious than first thought and leaves the striker facing six weeks on the sidelines.