Adam Lallana is backing Brighton fans who booed Chelsea boss Graham Potter during his dismal return a fortnight ago.

Lallana says the boos which rang out for vPotter on his return to Brighton were unavoidable after his mid-season departure.

The 47-year-old was given a less than warm welcome by his former club during Chelsea's 4-1 defeat at Falmer stadium.

"It didn't surprise me! It must've been very difficult for them," said Lallana to talkSPORT of the hostile welcome Potter received. "I do have a lot of sympathy for them and it's still so raw for all the Brighton fans and all the people associated with Brighton.

"It was a bit pantomime-y but for them it wouldn't have felt like that, it would have hurt because all of them still care about Brighton a lot.

"So it probably wasn't avoidable and maybe it was just something that they were gonna have to have gone through.

"I think and the more times they come back the easier it'll be and the better the reception will be - but it can't have been easy for them."