Liam Rosenior hit out at the "indefensible" and "unacceptable" performance of his Chelsea players in two separate interviews after their 3-0 defeat at Brighton.
The Blues were well beaten from start to finish in a woeful display, falling behind to Ferdi Kadioglu's third-minute opener from a corner, before second-half goals from Jack Hinshelwood and Danny Welbeck sealed the win for the Seagulls.
Chelsea failed to register a shot on target and did not even muster a tackle until the 32nd minute as their season hit a new low and led to head coach Liam Rosenior facing chants from the away end to be sacked.
An annoyed and unimpressed Rosenior did not hold back in his post-match interview with Sky Sports' Johnny Phillips and then doubled down on the criticism of his players in his post-match presser. Read every word below...
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Brighton-Chelsea highlights.
Highlights of the Premier League match between Brighton and Chelsea.
Was it the worst result of the lot?
"By far. By far. Was unacceptable in every aspect of the game. I keep coming out and defending the players, that was indefensible, that performance tonight. The manner of the goals we conceded, the duels that we lost. Something has to change drastically right here, right now."
Why did it happen?
"Why? 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."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Chelsea boss and players apologise to fans.
Liam Rosenior apologises to fans with players following Chelsea defeat against Brighton, their fifth successive in the Premier League.
Was it coming from the start?
"The first goal was terrible. We had an easy header and missed the header. The passage before the first goal upset me even more. We had four or five moments to show moral courage, and take the ball down and play. We just kicked the ball back to Brighton.
"You can speak about a lack of confidence, or results not going our way. That doesn't represent anything that I want to see, and I won't ever see it again.
"The performance in terms of professionalism wasn't there. It was a really, really difficult night, the most difficult night - not even here at this magnificent football club - but in my career. Some of the things I witnessed today, I don't want to ever see again."
Did the players throw the towel in?
"You have to ask the players. If you're playing at this elite football club, or any football club, to be even accused of throwing the towel in is unacceptable. That's all I'm going to say. I'm hurting, I'm feeling numb. That doesn't represent me. That doesn't represent the football club in anyway. That has to change, starting with the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday."
On Chelsea being out-run in every single league game this season...
"I don't want to go into that right now. I have my own thoughts, my own feelings. I have discussed in depth about this football club -regardless of who is the manager - about what needs to happen at this football club for it to be where it needs to be.
"It's about this football club, Chelsea represents fight, spirit and determination. That was lacking in every department this evening."
On if injuries are part of it...
"We've had injuries. It's not an excuse, it's a reality. That teams we put out today was far better than its engagement in the game. I will pick a team that will represent the club in the correct manner."
On if Sunday's FA Cup semi-final with Leeds is massive...
"This was a huge game and we didn't hit anywhere near the mark. Every game between now and the end of the season is a huge game, and it needs to look like that in the way we play."
On if the players are bereft of confidence...
"That's your opinion, I have to see it with the staff. We have to make sure we get it right for Sunday."