Levi Colwill says Albion played into Chelsea’s hands in their defeat at Stamford Bridge.

The former Seagulls loanee helped the West Londoners to a 4-2 win.

He revealed Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca knew exactly what tactical challenge his team would face having seen previous Albion matches.

The now much-debated high line came under discussion as Colwill spoke to reporters.

Colwill, who shone for the Seagulls two seasons ago, said: “They kept a high line and they had done it before.

“In this week’s training building up to the game we knew that so we worked on it.

“It worked so the gaffer got the game plan perfect and that’s why we had so many chances.”

Colwill believes Albion face a challenging season as they look to adapt to a change of head coach.

Fabian Huerzeler has taken over from Roberto De Zerbi, with whom Colwill enjoyed playing in their time together at the Amex.

De Zerbi was keen to keep Colwill at the club ahead of last season – and confident he would do so at one stage.

Colwill said: “Of course it will be tough for them.

“Like us they have got a new manager and it’s going to take time for them to adjust, which I hope they do.

“They could be a good team. But it helped us today and I’m not going to complain one bit.”

Colwill believes he has moved on and developed as a player since the days when he played for Albion in their successful push for a European place.

He had his hands full in Saturday’s clash, which could easily have produced more than six goals.

He said: “It was a crazy game.

“We had loads of chances and they had a few, and their goals came from our mistakes.

“It’s something we’ve got to work on but at the end of the day we got three points.

“We’ve got amazing players knocking on the door saying ‘Why am I not in the team?’ so you’ve got to be at your best in training and in games to keep the shirt and that’s how it should be.”

Cole Palmer was the destroyer in chief and, after joking he kept the England man in his pocket in training, Colwill said: WAn amazing player.

“The best players pull you out of sticky situations and that is what he has done.

“Four big goals that helped us so much and got us three points.

“He scores out of nothing, he turns half-chances into goals. And that’s why he’s so amazing, a special player.”