Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Wed 22 April 2026 12:00, UK

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The Premier League race for Champions League football took another twist on Tuesday when Chelsea were destroyed by Brighton.

The Blues lost 3-0 at the American Express Stadium, with Ferdi Kadioglu, Jack Hinshelwood and Danny Welbeck compounding Liam Rosenior’s misery.

The 41-year-old is under massive pressure at Chelsea following a fifth consecutive Premier League defeat in which his team failed to score.

Liverpool have also been under fire in their bid for Champions League football, but took a big step towards a fifth-placed finish when they beat Everton in the final moments of Sunday’s Merseyside derby.

Chelsea’s form has already seen them surpassed by Brighton, and they could soon find their position in the other European spots under pressure.

Supercomputer decimates Chelsea’s Champions League chances

Football Insider exclusively revealed on Tuesday that Chelsea remain supportive of Rosenior, despite the barren run his team find themselves in.

The Blues could not even muster a shot on target against Brighton, while the home side could have scored even more.

There will be a limit to decision-makers’ patience, although a decision to sack Rosenior will immediately reflect on them.

Internal issues led to Enzo Maresca’s departure in January in a moment that shocked many Chelsea fans, given the Italian’s success in the previous season.

Rosenior, while enjoying a bright tenure at Strasbourg, brought no Premier League management experience and no prior leadership over the type of big personalities at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea were 15 points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal and in contention for the top five when Maresca left.

Now they find themselves 22 points behind, and Opta‘s supercomputer has painted a dim picture of their remaining hopes of Europe.

Chelsea’s chances of finishing in the top five stand at a tiny 1.45 per cent, with Brentford and Bournemouth predicted to leapfrog them. Liverpool have been handed a 90.25 per cent chance following the result.

Brighton set for Europa League

The last couple of months have seen an extraordinary transformation for Brighton’s season.

Fabian Hurzeler had been under huge pressure following just one win in 13 Premier League games, with many fans hoping to see him sacked.

But six wins in eight games since have seen Brighton storm up the Premier League table, with the supercomputer now handing them a 35.98 per cent chance of qualifying for the Europa League.

The Seagulls will still face competition from Chelsea, Brentford, Bournemouth and Everton, but will fancy their chances going into the final four games.