Chelsea FC seemed to have already secured a working victory against Brighton when Danny Welbeck put the next damper on the Blues’ championship ambitions at Stamford Bridge.
The supposed invulnerability of the Blues, who were almost doomed to win in the championship race due to Manchester City’s form, has been lacking for weeks. And against Brighton, too, the Tuchel charges struggled for a long time.
Lukaku surges into the lead
The first chance came from Brighton’s quick rail player Lamptey (11th), the second landed at the post – but on the opposite side: Sanchez directed Azpilicueta’s poke decisively onto the bar (17th). Shortly after Chelsea’s James had to be substituted with a knock in an even first half, Lukaku came out powerfully from a standard and headed the ball into the net (28).
If the Belgian had struck up front, it was thanks to keeper Mendy at the back that the Blues were in the lead at the break: The number 1 saved against Lallana (38th) and Mac Allister (45.+2), who shot powerfully but not precisely enough.
Welbeck becomes a spoilsport
After the break, the visitors not only remained equal, Brighton even set the tone for long stretches – and were unlucky when Moders’ extra-time shot landed on the crossbar (47th). Chelsea’s administrative mode was not really sovereign – relief: sometimes, pinpricks: Missing. With the exception of a counterattack, which Hudson-Odoi stumbled away (56.).
Only the substitution of the injured Kanté – after two Maupay chances to equalise (57th, 60th) – changed the static of the game. Chelsea became more active and dominant again, for Brighton the way to Mendy became very long. Time was running out for the Blues, who were nevertheless tempted to make things clear early on with a second goal.
But they failed to do so and in the end it was the Seagulls who put the next damper on Chelsea’s championship race, which had long been dominated by City (eight points ahead): Cucurella sent in a buttery cross from half field, Joker Welbeck got the better of Chalobah and headed home (90.+1). The stumbling Blues were too perplexed to react spontaneously.