Premier League: Chelsea hanging on the wire by Brighton (1-1)

Manchester City is having a great holiday. After the defeat of Liverpool against Leicester (1-0), it is Chelsea who lost points, on their lawn, against the modest team of Brighton during this 20th day (1-1). The Seagulls delivered a remarkable game, unlike European champions who are still dying. If the Blues had gained the upper hand almost miraculously thanks to Romelu Lukaku, they were joined in added time of the second half on a goal from Danny Welbeck. Chelsea, second with a point more than Liverpool, gives the Cityzens the opportunity to soar to the top of the Premier League.

Three days after their victory against Aston Villa (1-3), Chelsea wanted to continue to stay in contact with Manchester City, but Thomas Tuchel saw his team fall back into their past few weeks, to finally end the match with a ton of regrets. First because he saw several adverse events fall on the corner of his head, namely the injuries of Andreas Christensen (22nd) and Reece James (26th). Then because his training led unexpectedly, at the end of a first act where the team of the former coach of PSG suffered.

By dint of bending, Chelsea ended up cracking

Because the partners of Frenchman Neal Maupay came with great ambition to Stamford Bridge. They have expended without counting to take the game on their own, and get several opportunities (11th, 35th, 38th). Almost invisible offensively, the Blues made the difference on a corner. After César Azpilicueta hit the post (16th), it was finally Romelu Lukaku, holder for the first time since October 16, who hit the mark, with a perfect cross header at the near post (1-0, 28th) .

If the fans of the London club thought they saw a completely different face of their team after the locker room, it was not. Thanks to the activity of Yves Bissouma and Cucurella, or to the dangerousness of Adam Lallana and Tariq Lamptey, the players of Graham Potter still raised the tone during the second half, increasing the number of goal situations (47th , 53rd, 57th, 60th, 65th). Often cornered in his camp against the 10th in the championship, Chelsea only got two clear chances.

But Callum Hudson-Odoi very badly managed a situation of one against two in counterattack (56th), then Joël Veltman, already decisive on the aforementioned situation, intervened to counter Lukaku’s strike in the area (86th). Coming into play in the 80th minute, Welbeck finally won in the air at the penalty spot against Trevor Chalobah, the replacement for Christensen, to give Brighton a fifth point after the 90th minute this season (1-1, 90th +1). It also darkens Chelsea’s title dreams, before the decisive duel between the Blues and Liverpool, this Sunday (5.30 p.m.).