Brighton and Hove Albion vs Chelsea. Premier League.
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Highlights and report as Chelsea's top-four hopes dented by stunning late equaliser
Wednesday 1 January 2020 16:58, UK
Alireza Jahanbakhsh made it a festive period to remember after scoring a stunning overhead kick to deny Chelsea in a 1-1 draw with Brighton.
Fresh from scoring on his second appearance of the season against Bournemouth, the Iranian came off the bench to cancel out (84) Cesar Azpilicueta's first-half opener (10) for Chelsea with an outrageous bicycle kick.
Jahanbakhsh has now scored two goals in his last two games for Brighton, having failed to find the net in his first 26 for the club in all competitions.
His equaliser broke Chelsea's historical hold over Brighton, who had lost each of the last 11 meetings with the west Londoners - a run stretching back to 1933.
The result leaves Chelsea five points clear of Manchester United in fourth but United play Arsenal later this evening and can close the gap.
It was Azpilicueta who grabbed a moment of history early on, becoming the first Premier League player to score this decade when taking advantage of some sloppy Brighton marking from a corner as Chelsea looked set to build on their comeback victory at Arsenal on Saturday.
Frank Lampard's side looked comfortable with their intense pressing in midfield restricting opportunities to get up the pitch, with Aaron Mooy, so impressive against Bournemouth, completely stifled.
Only a Leandro Trossard drive from range tested Kepa Arrizabalaga just before half-time.
Aaron Connolly was sent on after the break to give Brighton a more direct option in the channels but it was Chelsea who continued to find space on the counter attack.
Christian Pulisic was the main beneficiary down the left, but his final ball was below the level required, with Mat Ryan thwarting two low strikes from him.
Callum Hudson-Odoi replaced Pulisic midway through the half as it only looked a matter of time before Chelsea doubled their lead.
However, Brighton stayed in the game and found their stride in the final 15 minutes with Connolly forcing Kepa to produce a fine point-blank save after a set-piece was not cleared.
That close call gave Brighton hope, and minutes later they were level when Jahanbakhsh pulled off a fine bicycle kick after Lewis Dunk's header caused confusion.
Brighton almost stole the points when Neal Maupay connected sweetly with Martin Montoya's cross but Kepa's concentration was first-class as he saved brilliantly with his feet.
Brighton's Graham Potter: "I thought the players were amazing, it was an incredible performance. They went toe to toe with a top-four side and matched them. They have players who can hurt you if you make a mistake so the level of courage to keep playing in our way was amazing. I'm incredibly proud. It was a great strike [from Jahanbakhsh]. I'm really pleased for him. He's been fantastic here, hugely professional and has worked hard and improved greatly."
Chelsea's Frank Lampard: "It was an incredible equaliser but it is two points dropped for us because in the first half, if we're ruthless then the game is out of sight. That's not to say we had multiple chances but we had control, we had opportunities to play people in that could score and to make decisions around the box to score. Sometimes you can accuse a bad period in a game on a lack of fight or urgency but today wasn't that. Today was a lack of quality on the ball."
The full-back spot at Chelsea looks in safe hands for years to come. After losing his place in the team after a sloppy performance at Everton, Lampard felt the time was right to bring James back in and the youngster repaid the faith with an assured and classy showing.
Brighton's tricky winger Trossard was marked out of the game by James, who gained possession 11 times - the most of any player. Lampard would have also been impressed by his quality in the final third as his athleticism to get up and down the right flank provided Chelsea with a potent weapon, especially in the first half.
Brighton host Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, while Chelsea welcome Nottingham Forest.
