Romelu Lukaku put Chelsea in front in the 28th minute before Danny Welbeck headed home from Cucurella's cross to earn a point for Gram Potter's side.
Follow Us
Danny Welbeck scored a stoppage-time equalizer as Brighton secured a 1-1 draw against Chelsea in the Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. The home side put their nose in front through Romelu Lukaku before Brighton unleashed a barrage of pressure. Just when Chelsea were on the brink of victory, Welbeck headed home to stun the home crowd and earn a much needed point for Graham Potter’s side. Meanwhile the result is a major setback for the Blues, who are now eight points adrift of the leaders Manchester City.
A late, late header from Danny Welbeck shares the spoils at Stamford Bridge ?#CHEBHA pic.twitter.com/PdPsHG3JRr
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 29, 2021
Thomas Tuchel’s side was boosted by the return of Lukaku, who was making his first Premier League start since October. However, Tuchel had issues in the defence as both of his left-back’s were absent. Marcos Alonso was rested while Ben Chilwell is out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury. Therefore, Reece James was deployed at left-wing-back, with Christian Pulisic filling in on the right.
James was given a tough time by his former Chelse teammate Tariq Lamptey, who had an early penalty appeal, then cut inside the 22-year-old and fired a left-foot shot few yards wide. After the initial burst from the visitors, Chelsea came ever so close to taking that lead in the 16th minute. Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez flapped at a corner and Cesar Azpilicueta steered the loose ball onto the post via a deflection.
Meanwhile Tuchel’s problems at the back worsened as James got injured and had to be taken off following a challenge by Lamptey. However, the hosts took the lead in the 28th minute. Lukaku outmuscled his marker Neal Maupay and headed home Mason Mount’s corner from the right flank.
Brighton players protested for a foul on Maupay but the VAR check had ruled in Chelsea’ favor and the game resumed. In response, Adam Lallana tested Edouard Mendy from just inside the box and Laptey’s attempt from Lallan’s cross looped just over the crossbar.
After the break, Brighton started from where they had left off as Alexis Mac Allister, Jakub Moder and Yves Bissouma all went close before Maupay’s goal bound effort was blocked by Rudiger with Mendy out of position.
Tuchel introduced N’Golo Kante 23 minutes from time and the Frenchman gave Chelsea a bit more stability in the middle of the park. The momentum now slightly shifted towards the hosts for a while. Brighton defence made two last-ditch block’s to deny Lukaku. Chelsea had a penalty appeal turned down after Pulisic went down inside the box.
Meanwhile Brighton’s continued to attack at the other end their persistent pressure finally paid when Cucurella’s brilliant cross from the left was headed home past Mendy by Welbeck. The result sends Chelsea above Liverpool into second place, but the gap to Manchester City has widened as the leaders secured a 1-0 win against Brentford in the other match of the day.
Manchester City vs Liverpool: Talking points from the action-packed draw
