wicked.football

Adam Webster earned Brighton a deserved point in a 1-1 draw as he headed home in the second half to cancel out Hakim Ziyech’s strike at the Amex Stadium.

The defender rose to power home from close range and has now scored against Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea. It was no more than the hosts deserved against a Chelsea side that showed only glimpses of their top form.

Brighton boss Graham Potter opted to bench forwards Neal Maupay and Leandro Trossard, with Steven Alzate and Danny Welbeck given the nod. Tariq Lamptey replaced Adam Lallana in three changes from the side that drew with Crystal Palace last time out.

Chelsea chief Thomas Tuchel also changed three of his starting XI. Jorginho returned in midfield, with Mateo Kovacic on the bench.

Christian Pulisic was replaced by Callum Hudson-Odoi in attack while Mason Mount came in for defender Malang Sarr.

Brighton went into the match unbeaten in four top-flight games while Chelsea had not won in three outings. And the Seagulls made a bright start as Jakub Moder dragged a shot just wide after being picked out by Welbeck.

The Blues had opted for a back four and it took them time to adjust. But Jorginho combined well with Romelu Lukaku before Cesar Azpilicueta forced Robert Sanchez into a smart save on 14 minutes.

Brighton appeared happy to sit back and wait for their chance to counterattack with Welbeck the preferred target. But the former Arsenal man fluffed his lines when through on goal just before the half-hour mark.

A few moments later Chelsea were ahead though Ziyech. The Moroccan’s long-range effort was too hot for Sanchez to handle – but he should have done better.

The home side played with plenty of enthusiasm but failed to really threaten the opposition goal. And they should have been 2-0 down just before the break as Hudson-Odoi wasted a golden opportunity.

Wasteful Welbeck lets Chelsea off the hook

Brighton were quickly out of the blocks after the interval but Welbeck should have done better from a decent position. But, as has happened so often in his career, he failed to make the most of the opportunity and shot wide of the target.

Potter’s men continued to look for an equaliser but, despite an abundance of possession, could not unlock the Chelsea defence.

But the pressure finally paid off as Adam Webster got his side back into the game on 60 minutes. The centre-back found himself unmarked from a corner and powered his header past the helpless Kepa.

Chelsea responded immediately as N’Golo Kante picked up the rebound from Hudson-Odoi’s shot only to shoot over the bar.

Potter sensed there might be three points for the taking and brought on Maupay and Trossard for Welbeck and Pascal Gross. And Maupay should have done better when trying to reach Lampety’s cross.

Tuchel’s side looked rattled, with the Seagulls looking the likelier of the sides to score.

And the German coach rolled the dice with 10 minutes to go, bringing on Kovacic, Timo Werner and Kai Havertz. Lukaku, Jorginho and Ziyech made way for the trio.

But they could not find a winner despite enjoying most of the possession as the game drew to its conclusion.

The post Webster trait continues as Brighton take point and Chelsea worries continue appeared first on TEAMtalk.