Brighton held Chelsea to a draw for the second time in three weeks as Adam Webster’s header cancelled out Hakim Ziyech’s first-half opener at the Amex Stadium
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In pictures: Brighton v Chelsea
Chelsea’s campaign could yet self implode after they dropped more points at Brighton on Tuesday night.
Defeat at the weekend appeared to end their Premier League title hopes but Thomas Tuchel saw his team held once more by the Seagulls.
It means Chelsea have won just one of their last seven games.
Hakim Ziyech’s long range effort set them on their way after his shot appeared to catch out Seagulls goalkeeper Roger Sanchez.
Brighton were by no means outclassed, having several positive moments of their own in the first-half.
They emerged after the break seeking an equaliser and got exactly that when Adam Webster headed home from a corner.
The Seagulls were buoyed by their leveller and, with a bit more composure and cutting edge, may have found a winner.
Instead they had to settle for a point as Chelsea’s season continues to falter.
Here are five talking points from the south coast.
1 Deja vu
On December 29 Brighton levelled against Chelsea courtesy of a Danny Welbeck header, thus denying the Blues all three points.
20 days on and the Seagulls again cancelled out the Blues lead thanks to a headed goal, this time from Webster.
The draw at Stamford Bridge last month was a major blow to Chelsea’s title hopes.
This stalemate may be the final nail in the coffin.
A wretched run has seen Tuchel’s side slip out of the title picture – and this result may spell the end of their title ambitions for another year.
2 Lukaku’s response
The Belgian was publicly challenged on Saturday after defeat at Manchester City.
“He had many ball losses without any pressure, many ball losses in very promising circumstances,” the German said.
It comes after Lukaku was left out following an interview he gave to an Italian new outlet.
A response was needed from the forward, who has been told the team will not change for him.
Against Brighton Lukaku will have done little to prove his manager wrong, fluffing a major opportunity with 20 minutes remaining.
Tuchel hooked his £97.5m summer signing with 12 minutes left as this saga threatens to rumble on.
3 Top four concerns
Rewind seven weeks and Chelsea were arguably favourites for the title.
Now, after several losses and draws, it seems as if top four is no longer a guarantee.
Tuchel has already fielded questions about his job, but more dropped points at Brighton will certainly give optimism to the chasing pack.
West Ham can close to within four points if they win their next game.
Arsenal and Tottenham, both whom have several games in hand on Chelsea, will also be fancying their chances.
It may seem scarcely believable, but if Tottenham win all their games in hand they will in fact usurp the Blues.
4 A sign of things to come
Chelsea are among a number of teams who are in action during the week.
Manchester United, Leicester City and Tottenham are also playing as clubs look to fit in fixtures that need to be rearranged.
The majority of those are due to Covid postponements but Chelsea also have to factor in a trip to Asia for the Club World Cup.
The Blues last played Brighton just 20 days ago in the capital, but had to facilitate this game somewhere.
Nor Tuchel or Graham Potter bemoaned the swift turnaround pre-match, but as games continue to come thick and fast other managers may not be so willing to accept a backlog of games, even if it is an unavoidable situation.
5 Potter’s profile
Once again there is a notable vacancy in the Premier League following Rafa Benitez’s sacking.
Unsurprisingly Potter has been linked with the Everton job, although has distanced himself from the role.
His work at Brighton will continue to attract admiring glances as he maximises his resources on the south coast.
Tottenham too have been linked with Potter in the past, with the Englishman soon facing the question – just how far can he take the Seagulls before he must contemplate a fresh challenge.
The draw keeps them in the top half, which would represent a phenomenal season.
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