Hinshelwood fires home Brighton second as Chelsea fume over handball shout

Brighton claimed a hard-fought home victory against Chelsea on Tuesday, with Jack Hinshelwood's second goal of the match proving decisive in a heated encounter that saw the visitors left furious over a handball appeal in the build-up to the strike.

The match at the Amex Stadium saw Brighton take an early lead through Hinshelwood's composed finish after some intricate play down the right flank. Chelsea responded well and looked to have settled into their rhythm, but the hosts remained dangerous on the counter-attack throughout the first half.

The decisive moment came midway through the second period when Hinshelwood doubled Brighton's advantage with a clinical strike. However, replays showed the ball appeared to strike the arm of a Brighton player in the build-up, prompting immediate protests from Chelsea's players and coaching staff.

Chelsea manager had a heated exchange with referee officials, claiming the goal should have been disallowed. "The handball was clear for everyone to see," the Chelsea boss reportedly told the fourth official. "It's inexcusable at this level."

Despite their protests, Chelsea struggled to mount a sustained comeback, with Brighton's defensive shape frustrating their attacking efforts. The victory moves Brighton closer to securing European qualification for next season, while Chelsea's defeat complicates their own ambitions.

Hinshelwood's performance was instrumental throughout, showing both his goalscoring ability and tactical discipline. His second goal, controversy aside, came from excellent positioning and composure inside the box.