Striker Danny Welbeck scored a last-minute equaliser as Brighton & Hove Albion held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
Striker Romelu Lukaku opened the scoring on 28 minutes with a powerful header from a corner, but Welbeck came off the bench late on and scored to rescue a point for manager Graham Potter’s side.
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Lukaku, who scored for the first time in September in a 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Sunday, nodded his side into the lead.
The 28-year-old connected with midfielder Mason Mount‘s corner at the near post, powerfully sending it past opposing goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) conducted a lengthy review into whether Lukaku’s trailing arm fouled Brighton striker Neal Maupay as he moved toward the ball, but the goal was awarded.
The home side claimed for a penalty shortly after half-time when winger Christian Pulisic fumbled over the ball but not before being taken down in the box, although the claims were dismissed after a VAR review.
Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi squandered a glorious chance to double his side’s lead on 55 minutes when he raced away on the counter attack with only one defender and the goalkeeper to beat, but the 21-year-old failed to find Mount with his final pass.
Brighton nearly made Chelsea pay moments later when midfielder Alexis Mac Allister collected a through ball and took the ball wide around goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, but Maupay could not strike home when set up for the finish.
Brighton continued to apply pressure, and they were rewarded in stoppage time as Welbeck headed home from a corner. The goal was the first the club had ever scored at Stamford Bridge