Brighton dent Chelsea’s title hopes as Adam Webster header forces draw

It will be of little consolation to Thomas Tuchel that he spotted the warning signs as soon as the game began and Brighton started getting on top of Chelsea. This was another disjointed effort from Chelsea and Tuchel, who cut an irritable figure throughout, cannot have been surprised when Adam Webster cancelled out Hakim Ziyech’s goal in the second half.

Brighton had been the stronger side all evening and the European champions, who are winless in four league games, can surely forget about reeling in Manchester City. On this evidence, their main concern should be making sure they do not get dragged into a top-four battle.

It is difficult to kid Tuchel. Chelsea’s manager looked like he was waiting for something disastrous to happen during the first half and he barely offered any celebration when Ziyech gave his side an undeserved lead after 28 minutes. Tuchel had spent the majority of the early stages flinging his arms in the air in disgust and at times it seemed that he could not believe what he was watching, to the extent it was difficult to detect any improvement in his mood even after Ziyech’s drive from long range had squirmed beyond Robert Sánchez.

Too passive when they lost to City, Chelsea had not convinced before going ahead. Their passing was sloppy and Brighton looked like the sharper side at first. Steven Alzate and Pascal Gross had set a brisk tempo in midfield for the hosts and Chelsea found it difficult to deal with Brighton’s frenetic pressing early on.

The problem for Brighton, though, was a familiar one. They had chances, but they rarely tested Kepa Arrizabalaga. Jakub Moder skewed wide from the edge of the area after combining with Danny Welbeck, who would also bungle an opportunity, and it did not come