Albion drew a blank in front of goal for the first time since the FA Cup semi-final in April as they exited the Carabao Cup at Stamford Bridge.
There was little to choose between the teams but Albion wasted two good first-half chances and were punished when Nicolas Jackson poached the only goal five minutes after the break.
Rob Sanchez, one of three ex-Albion players in Chelsea’s side, made a brilliant save to keep out Solly March’s header late on but it was one of those nights for the Seagulls.
Seven changes made it 29 alterations across our last four games with Carlos Baleba handed his first start in central midfield in an XI with an average age of just 22.
There was a good flow to the early stages. Bart Verbruggen got behind an early stinger from Mykhailo Mudryk before Albion responded. Kaoru Mitoma left Marc Cucurella on the deck but his cross hit Joao Pedro, who then saw a long-range effort deflected wide before Mo Dahoud drilled a low effort off target.
Albion were getting on top and should have been ahead on 24 minutes. Sanchez passed the ball straight to Joao but his chip towards an empty goal landed on the roof of the net. Eight minutes later Sanchez redeemed himself, flinging himself to his left to athletically push away Fati’s shot after the impressive Baleba had nicked the ball off Moises Caicedo.
The mood at Stamford Bridge was getting restless and had VAR been in operation Chimuanya Ugochukwu might have been in trouble for a heavy challenge on Baleba moments after he had been booked.
March replaced Fati at the break with Buonanotte occupying the No.10 role and kicking towards 4000 of our fans Albion started brightly, but after breaking down the left and working the ball inside Dahoud completely missed his kick from an inviting position on the edge of the box.
Instead, it was Chelsea who broke the deadlock on 50 minutes. Cole Palmer’s pass went through Jan Paul van Hecke’s legs and Ian Maatsen squared for Jackson to apply a calm side-foot finish with his right foot.
Those missed first-half chances had come back to hurt Albion and it needed an excellent block by Verbruggen to deny Jackson after Lamptey had tried to clear but inadvertently played the ball into the Chelsea striker’s path.
Jackson had a goal disallowed for offside before Sanchez intervened instinctively when he pushed March’s flying header to safety after Pervis Estupinan teased a cross to the far post.
Chelsea funnelled everyone behind the ball in the closing stages and Estupinan fizzed a low ball across the face of goal with no one able to get on the end of it at the start of seven additional minutes.
Lamptey then stood up a cross but Joao volleyed a yard over the bar and Albion knew then it was going to be one of those nights.
Albion: Verbruggen, Lamptey, van Hecke, Igor, Estupinan, Buonanotte (Lallana 77), Dahoud (Hinshelwood 70), Baleba (Gilmour 64), Mitoma (Welbeck 64), Fati (March 45), Joao.
Subs not used: Steele, Dunk, Adingra, Veltman.
Referee: Thomas Bramall
Attendance: 37516