Chelsea vs Brighton player ratings: Azpilicueta 8, Lukaku 7; Veltman 9, Cucurella 8

Lukaku's header cancelled out by late leveller from Brighton sub Welbeck

Andreas Christensen 6 – Tried to battle on after picking up an injury but had to be taken off at the break. AFP

Cesar Azpilicueta 8 – Struck the post early on and was always in the way of Brighton attacks. An outstanding performance at the back from the experienced centre-back. AFP

Callum Hudson-Odoi 6 – Too often disappointed with his final ball. AP Photo

Reece James 6 – On the receiving end of a strong challenge in the 26th minute that cut his evening short. Reuters

SUB: Marcos Alonso (James, 27) 6 – Stretched the play up the left flank but was ineffective for the most part. Spent most the game defending. AP Photo

SUB: N’Golo Kante (Hudson-Odoi 67) 7 – Calmed the game down when he got on to the pitch as Chelsea began to gain control. AFP

Dan Burn 7 – Won a lot of challenges and maintained a level of physicality for Graham Potter's side to help get Brighton moving forward. Reuters

Solly March 6 – Worked hard going forward and in defence but couldn't find much with his crosses into the box. AFP

Yves Bissouma 8 – An exemplary performance from Bissouma, who was physical against Chelsea and matched their intensity. Caught a number of the Chelsea midfielders napping to take possession and showed confidence carrying the ball forward. Reuters

Tariq Lamptey 7 – Put in an impressive display against his former club which may make some home fans ask why they sold him. He was tricky on the ball and showed his pace on the flank, often forcing Chelsea players to have to foul him to stop his progress. AFP

Alexis Mac Allister 6 – His freekick asked a question of Edouard Mendy. Played with creative freedom and always looked to play progressively. AFP

SUB: Enock Mwepu (Lamptey, 65) 6 – Added pace as Brighton changed shape to a three at the back. PA

SUB: Steven Alzate (Moder, 88) N/R – Introduced in the final minutes. AFP

Chelsea suffered another stumble in their faltering title challenge on Wednesday when they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Brighton & Hove Albion after an injury-time equaliser by substitute Danny Welbeck.

The European champions had taken the lead when Romelu Lukaku rose the highest to meet a corner from Mason Mount in the 28th minute, taking advantage of a makeshift Brighton defence that was missing centre-half stalwarts Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy.

But Brighton pushed hard for their first ever goal at Stamford Bridge and had Chelsea pinned back in the second half.

Just when the Blues seemed as if they were going to hang on for three vital points, Welbeck rose between defender Toni Rudiger and Trevoh Chalobah to head in a Marc Cucurella cross.

Compounding Chelsea's problems, wing-back Reece James hobbled off in the first half and fellow defender Andreas Christensen also needed treatment and was replaced by Chalobah at the break.

The draw pushed Chelsea in second place in the Premier League table on 42 points, one more than Liverpool but the Reds have a game in hand.