Brighton 1-1 Chelsea: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Jahanbakhsh Stunner Snatches Point for Hosts

Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton and Hove Albion on New Year's Day, after Alireza Jahanbakhsh scored a breathtaking equaliser late on for the hosts.

​The Blues took the lead inside ten minutes, when Tammy Abraham's blocked shot fell to the feet of César Azpilicueta, who tapped home from close range. Leandro Trossard forced an excellent diving save from Kepa towards the end of the first half, as Frank Lampard's men went into the break ahead.

Brighton were the better team in the second half, and deservedly equalised with just under ten minutes left to play, when substitute Jahanbakhsh struck a stunning overhead kick to bag the Seagulls' first goal of the new decade. 

The hosts almost snatched all three points at the death, but Kepa made an excellent stop to keep the scores level, and the spoils were shared. 

---

Brighton 

Key Talking Point

There's only one moment we can really talk about here. Jahanbakhsh has struggled to adapt to life in England since his heavily-anticipated move, and he has failed to hit the heights expected of him. So having waited 18 months to score his opening goal for ​Brighton, he then scored a second against Chelsea. And what a second it was. 

As the ball dropped from the sky, there was a moment where time stood still, and the whole world watched and waited. And then, delirium. 

Jahanbakhsh flung his legs into the air, and with a moment of sheer magic, he delivered the perfect overhead kick, wrong-footing Kepa and giving Brighton a vital point against Chelsea. Absolute class. 

---

Player Ratings 

Starting XI: Ryan (7); Montoya (7), Webster (7), Dunk (8), Burn (N/A); Bissouma (7), Pröpper (7); Trossard (9), Mooy (7), Alzate (7); Maupay (7)

Substitutes: Bernardo (7), Connolly (6), Jahanbakhsh (8)

---

STAR MAN - This guy is a real live-wire. Leandro Trossard struggled in the initial stages of the match - as did every Brighton player. But the change of shape really benefitted the Belgian winger, and he began to cause Chelsea's defence all sorts of problems. 

The 25-year-old drifted inside, threading cute balls through to his teammates or twisting and tormenting his marker at every given opportunity. Trossard forced an excellent save from Kepa in the first half, and he grew into the game as his team upped the ante. 

Although he may not be the most consistent player in the Premier League, Trossard is certainly one of the most exciting on his day, and he epitomises the change in style which Brighton are attempting to perfect. 

---

Chelsea 

Key Talking Point 

​Chelsea's superb away form has been much-talked about of late, but the Blues struggled in their 1-1 draw with Brighton. Lampard initially set his side up expertly, and their pressing game was nothing short of extraordinary. The hosts couldn't get out of their own half for large periods, and the Seagulls were forced into making some horrendous individual errors at the back by their rampant visitors. 

But when opposing manager Potter re-jigged his Brighton side, Lampard had very little to offer and the Seagulls grew throughout the match to pick up a superb point. The Chelsea boss will ask questions of his team after this result, having seemed incapable of reacting to the switches made, and their naivety shone through again. 

Youthful, but chaotic at times. 

---

Player Ratings

Source : 90min