Brighton 1-1 Chelsea: Albion further damage Blues' title hopes

Brighton provided another huge blow to Chelsea's dwindling hopes of winning this season's Premier League title by coming from behind to claim a well-deserved draw at the Amex Stadium.

Adam Webster found all the space he needed to head in from a corner in the second half and give the home side a point to reward a display full of energy and endeavour.

Thomas Tuchel's side started poorly and lacked authority throughout, opening the scoring against the run of play through Hakim Ziyech's well-struck low drive from outside the box.

But they failed to build on the moment, never looking assured, and for all their desperate intent simply could not find a way to restore their lead and claim the vital win.

The gap between the third-placed Blues and imperious leaders Manchester City is 12 points, with Thomas Tuchel's side having played a game more - surely an insurmountable gulf.

Brighton are now unbeaten in six games in all competitions and continue to grow in confidence and class under Graham Potter.

Lifted by their equaliser, they looked the side far more likely to win the game in the final 30 minutes, instead having to settle for a point that leaves them on 29, three short of a European qualification spot.

More to follow.

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Brighton & Hove Albion

Squad number1Player nameSánchez

Squad number34Player nameVeltman

Squad number4Player nameWebster

Squad number33Player nameBurn

Squad number3Player nameCucurella

Squad number17Player nameAlzate

Squad number2Player nameLamptey

Squad number13Player nameGroß

Squad number10Player nameMac Allister

Squad number18Player nameWelbeck

Squad number15Player nameModer

Squad number9Player nameMaupay

Squad number11Player nameTrossard

Squad number20Player nameMarch

Chelsea

Squad number1Player nameArrizabalaga

Squad number28Player nameAzpilicueta

Squad number6Player nameThiago Silva

Squad number2Player nameRüdiger

Squad number3Player nameAlonso

Squad number7Player nameKanté

Squad number5Player nameJorginho

Squad number22Player nameZiyech

Squad number19Player nameMount

Squad number20Player nameHudson-Odoi

Squad number9Player nameLukaku

Squad number8Player nameKovacic

Squad number11Player nameWerner

Squad number29Player nameHavertz

Line-ups

Brighton

Formation 4-1-4-1

1Sánchez

34Veltman4Webster33Burn3Cucurella

17Alzate

2Lamptey13Groß10Mac Allister18Welbeck

15Moder

Substitutes

Chelsea

Formation 4-2-3-1

1Arrizabalaga

28Azpilicueta6Thiago Silva2Rüdiger3Alonso

7Kanté5Jorginho

22Ziyech19Mount20Hudson-Odoi

9Lukaku

Substitutes

Live Text

Match ends, Brighton and Hove Albion 1, Chelsea 1.

Second Half ends, Brighton and Hove Albion 1, Chelsea 1.

Attempt blocked. Marcos Alonso (Chelsea) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Marc Cucurella.

Foul by Marcos Alonso (Chelsea).

Solly March (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Attempt blocked. Neal Maupay (Brighton and Hove Albion) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Adam Webster.

Attempt missed. Mateo Kovacic (Chelsea) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left following a corner.

Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Neal Maupay.

Offside, Brighton and Hove Albion. Neal Maupay tries a through ball, but Leandro Trossard is caught offside.

Attempt blocked. Timo Werner (Chelsea) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Mateo Kovacic.

Attempt blocked. Marcos Alonso (Chelsea) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Antonio Rüdiger (Chelsea) is shown the yellow card.

Substitution, Chelsea. Timo Werner replaces Hakim Ziyech.

Substitution, Chelsea. Mateo Kovacic replaces Jorginho.

Substitution, Chelsea. Kai Havertz replaces Romelu Lukaku.

Dan Burn (Brighton and Hove Albion) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Hakim Ziyech (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Foul by Dan Burn (Brighton and Hove Albion).

Attempt blocked. Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Callum Hudson-Odoi with a cross.

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