Brighton inflicted a major blow on Chelsea’s Premier League title hopes as substitute Danny Welbeck’s stoppage-time header secured a 1-1 draw for the Seagulls in a pulsating encounter at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea were on the brink of victory having survived a barrage of Brighton pressure following Romelu Lukaku’s first-half opener (26), but Welbeck’s dramatic leveller, nodded in from Marc Cucurella’s cross (90+1), left them stunned and secured a deserved point for Graham Potter’s side.
The result is a major setback for Chelsea, who were well below their best and risk losing further ground on leaders Manchester City in the title race having only won one of their last four Premier League games.
It appeared they had weathered a period of Brighton dominance after N’Golo Kante’s introduction from the bench midway through the second half helped to tilt the momentum in Chelsea’s favour following a series of chances for the visitors.
But Thomas Tuchel’s side, who also lost Reece James to injury, missed several chances to extend their lead in the closing stages before Welbeck’s towering header prompted wild Brighton celebrations, handing a major boost to Manchester City in the process.
How Brighton stunned Chelsea
Chelsea were boosted by Lukaku’s return to the starting line-up for the first time in the Premier League since October but, with Marcos Alonso benched and Ben Chilwell out for the season, there was also the more unfamiliar sight of Reece James lining up at left wing-back, with Christian Pulisic filling in on the right.
The 22-year-old duly endured some uncomfortable moments up against his former Chelsea team-mate Tariq Lamptey, who had an early penalty appeal turned down, then cut inside James and fired a left-footed shot a few yards wide.
Team news
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel made four changes from the 3-1 win over Aston Villa, with Romelu Lukaku coming into the starting line-up along with Mateo Kovacic, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta.
Leandro Trossard missed out for Brighton as Graham Potter brought Solly March, Joel Veltman and Yves Bissouma back into his team.
Those moments served as early warnings for Chelsea, but the first big opportunity fell their way when Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez flapped at a corner and Cesar Azpilicueta steered the loose ball onto the post via a deflection.
Image:
Romelu Lukaku headed Chelsea in front
Antonio Rudiger headed straight at Sanchez moments later and Marc Cucurella dragged a shot wide at the other end, but the game’s next major incident was James’s withdrawal, the wing-back immediately signalling to the bench and needing to be helped off the pitch following a challenge by Lamptey.
It was a considerable blow for Chelsea, especially given Chilwell’s long-term absence, but their frustration made way for elation moments later when Lukaku outmuscled Neal Maupay and headed Mason Mount’s corner beyond Sanchez to put them in front.
Maupay required treatment having been caught in the face as he jostled with the Chelsea striker and could be seen protesting to the fourth official as Brighton finally got the game back under way, but by that point, the VAR check had ruled in Chelsea’s favour.
Mason Mount challenges Yves Bissmouma
Image:
Mason Mount challenges Yves Bissmouma
Brighton, angry that the goal had been allowed to stand, responded strongly and soon began to dominate, unleashing a flurry of shots on the Chelsea goal which included Adam Lallana forcing a fine save from Edouard Mendy and Lamptey looping an effort just over.
The visitors were angered again when Antonio Rudiger flew into a tackle on Lamptey, winning the ball but with both feet off the ground. He was shown a yellow card but the visiting players felt it should have been red.
Brighton picked up where they left off after the break, with Alexis Mac Allister, Jakub Moder and the excellent Yves Bissouma all going close before their best chance, which saw Maupay’s goalbound effort heroically blocked by Rudiger with Mendy out of position.
Chelsea continued to look rattled but Kante’s introduction, three days after he was feared to have suffered an injury setback in the 3-1 win over Aston Villa, helped to steady things for the visitors.
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For a period, the momentum was back with Chelsea. Rudiger’s header across goal was hacked away by Joel Veltman before it could reach the unmarked Lukaku and a last-ditch tackle from Cucurella then denied Mount a one-on-one opportunity.
Lukaku then had an even better chance when Kovacic found him in the Brighton box but he opted to cut the ball onto his left foot instead of shooting with his right and Veltman, excellent in the visitors’ back three, managed to make another important block.
Brighton continued to threaten, however, and their persistence paid off when Cucurella’s teasing cross was brilliantly directed into the net and Mendy was finally beaten.
The draw is still enough to send Chelsea above Liverpool and into second place, but the gap to Manchester City looks ominously large.
What’s next?
Chelsea host title rivals Liverpool live on Sky Sports Premier League from 4.15pm on Sunday, January 2; kick-off 4.30pm. Brighton, meanwhile, travel to Everton on the same day, with kick-off at 2pm.
