Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has refused to single out individuals after Chelsea recorded a morale-boosting 1-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in the EFL Cup third round.

The Blues went into the showdown with the Seagulls sitting in 14th position in the Premier League table and having failed to score in their last three fixtures.

Chelsea responded to riding their luck on occasions in the first half by scoring soon after the restart through a neat finish from Nicolas Jackson, just his second strike since arriving from Villarreal.

Although the home side had opportunities to extend their lead, not helped by two contentious offside decisions, they eventually held out for the triumph and a clean sheet.

After the game, Pochettino was naturally quizzed on Jackson getting on the scoresheet and the performance of Cole Palmer, who provided the clever assist on his first start for the club.

However, the Argentine instead preferred to praise his entire team after a number of weeks of criticism, largely through their lack of cutting edge in the final third.

Pochettino told reporters, as quoted by football.london: "Good response from the team, I was very pleased with the performance again and now happy for the victory and important to go through in the competition and build our trust and momentum. I hope we can bring this momentum to the future.

Commenting on Jackson and Palmer, he added: "I think when the striker scores it is important. He needed to feel the net and important for him, very pleased for him.

"Cole is a very talented player, he was key in this victory tonight. Still young, still needs to settle in the club, not only the team, in the club and the city. I think we saw today how good he is."

Chelsea have been handed a home tie against Blackburn Rovers in the last 16 of the competition, with that fixture scheduled to take place on the week commencing October 30.

Fulham are Chelsea's next opponents in the Premier League with that contest at Craven Cottage taking place on October 3.