BRIGHTON, England -- Hakim Ziyech's reaction to his goal said it all. Chelsea's standout moment on another disappointing night, which extinguishes the faintest lingering title hopes, came against the run of play midway through the first half as the Dutch-born attacker's deflected strike snuck inside Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Robert Sanchez's near post.
A smile never even threatened to break across his face. Only Jorginho's embrace stopped Ziyech from walking straight back to the halfway line. Instead, his teammates ran to join in what could very loosely be described as a celebration, and a frank conversation quickly ensued between Ziyech, Mason Mount and then Marcos Alonso, which involved some urgent pointing and gesticulating.