Kai Havertz misses Chelsea game against Brighton due to injury

• Frank Lampard returns to Stamford Bridge for the first time in his second spell as manager
• It was a must win game as he remains winless in his first two games back
• German forward Kai Havertz was left out of the squad much to the surprise of the fans

German forward Kai Havertz was left out of the squad to face Brighton and Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.

Frank Lampard returned to Chelsea as caretaker manager for the second spell after former manager Graham Potter was shown the exit after results failed to improve.

The club legend faced a must win game after losing his first two games against Wolves in the Premier League and Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.

He had to do it today without the services of a player he signed during his first spell, Kai Havertz, who

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he confirmed missed today's game due to a minor knee injury.

Lampard, however, confirmed he would be fit enough to face Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge, another must-win game, having lost the first leg 2-0 in Spain last Wednesday, according to Football London.

Lampard loses first three games

It is not the kind of return Lampard would have wanted at the helm of affairs of the club he made his name as a player. The 2-0 loss today means he has lost his first three games back.

The team has conceded five goals and scored just one. Going into the game, they had matched a 30- years record of going four games without scoring according to Goal.

They managed to score but found a way to lose. Conor Gallagher opened the scoring via a deflecting but Danny Welbeck and Ecuadorian youngster Enciso turned it in Brighton's favour.

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Lampard's explains Havertz decision

Sports Brief earlier reported that Kai Havertz started on the bench against Real Madrid and came on in the second half with the scores already 2-0.

Lampard opted for an attacking duo of João Felix and Raheem Sterling in a two-man attack of his preferred 3-5-2 but yielded no results as both were spectators in the game.

He was later brought on but too late to have any impact and Carlo Ancelotti's men saw off the game to put themselves in the advantage ahead of the second leg.