Chelsea chiefs hold urgent talks over Liam Rosenior's future ahead of Leeds FA Cup tie

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Chelsea bosses will hold discussions over what to do next, after Chelsea's thrashing by Brighton on Tuesday night firmly put Liam Rosenior's position under scrutiny. The 3-0 defeat marked the Blues' fifth loss in a row, where they have failed to find the net.

The west London side's sporting leadership are taking stock of the club's situation following the abysmal performance against Brighton, and it is not certain that Rosenior will still be in charge by the time Chelsea face Leeds in the FA Cup this weekend. Rosenior had been backed until this point, but there is an acknowledgement that football is a results business.

For now, Rosenior remains in charge, but that situation could yet change. The Blues are now seventh in the Premier League , and their chances of qualifying for European football are now in doubt.

Having previously backed his players amid Chelsea's poor form, Rosenior laid into his squad for their performance against Brighton. The former Strasbourg boss suggested that too few of his players put in the required effort against the Seagulls.

Rosenior said it was the worst defeat of his time in charge of the Blues. "By far," he said. "By far. That was unacceptable in every aspect of the game, unacceptable in attitude.

"It was unacceptable in every aspect. I keep coming out to defend the players. That was indefensible tonight. Something needs to change drastically right now.

"We need to look in the mirror. I need to look in the mirror. But I can't keep coming out here and defending some of the things that we're seeing.

" Manchester United , genuinely result wasn't there but I felt we turned a corner. But the general attitude, spirit was lacking - determination from three or four of the starting eleven. That's nowhere near enough for this club. I can't come out and lie. I tell the truth. That was an unacceptable performance at every level."

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Rosenior was the target of explicit chants from Chelsea supporters at the Amex Stadium, as they expressed their displeasure with the club's current direction. It is the Blues' longest run of Premier League games without a clean sheet in 29 years, and the first time since 1912 that they have lost five successive league games without scoring.

Speaking following the game, former Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood suggested that Rosenior would not be able to survive the result against Brighton. "It was a team playing a bunch of individuals," he said.

"No spirit, no character. They were watching at the end there going over to the Chelsea fans - half of them had left the stadium 20 minutes ago.

"It's not only your ability, it's your desire to wear the shirt. It was embarrassing the room that Brighton had. Liam Rosenior changed it at half-time but he has to recognise that sooner.

"Hinshelwood is an academy player who plays in every single position. Full-back, outstanding. Midfield, outstanding. He was No 10 tonight. Three goals is the least Brighton deserved.

"I don't like saying it: there are demonstrations and flags out against BlueCo. Liam Rosenior will not survive this. He will not, unfortunately for him. It's a real tough job for any manager to survive this environment. Chelsea is a development club."

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