Chelsea vs. Brighton result: Lukaku goal not enough as Welbeck pegs back Blues in draw

Despite the emphatic return of Romelu Lukaku to the starting lineup, Chelsea lost further ground to Manchester City at the top of the Premier League after conceding a stoppage-time equalizer in a disappointing 1-1 home draw against Brighton Hove & Albion.

Lukaku scored to put Chelsea in front, but the Blues were matched toe-to-toe by the visitors up and down the pitch. Eventually, substitute Danny Welbeck headed Brighton level in the 91st minute and the Seagulls earned a deserved share of the points.

The result means Chelsea now finds itself eight points behind league-leading Man City, which won its 10th straight league match. And the road doesn't get any easier with a match against third-place Liverpool on tap for Sunday, Jan. 2.

Chelsea looked tired against Brighton, a result of all the injuries that have plagued the Blues. It only made matters worse when they lost Andreas Christensen and Reece James to injuries during the course of the 90 minutes, and by full-time, the exhaustion showed.

MORE: World Cup every two years? FIFA proposal explained

Manager Thomas Tuchel pointed to the tired legs in his post-game comments, but he was also critical of the referee for not calling a penalty kick for an alleged foul suffered by American Christian Pulisic.

Brighton, spry throughout the match, performed admirably as the Seagulls sat back at the appropriate times, absorbing Chelsea pressure, while also commanding several quality spells of attacking possession. They were somewhat sloppy on the counter, but in the final third Brighton managed to trouble Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy until the late equalizer provided a deserved reward for the hard work.

It's a familiar story for Brighton, who picked up its fourth equalizer of the league season in the 89th minute or later. It was the team's league-leading ninth draw, bumping it up to 10th place in the standings.

Goals:28th minute: Chelsea – Romelu Lukaku91st minute: Brighton – Danny Welbeck

(All times Eastern)

What a finish. That was fun. Chelsea players are absolutely exhausted...Mateo Kovacic sitting on the pitch wondering what happened. Brighton was fantastic throughout, and deserved the point, although it eventually came against the run of play down the stretch as Chelsea looked like they would see it out.

Liverpool and Chelsea both pegged back by lesser sides in the last two days, and Manchester City are the big festive fixture winners. City winning away against Brentford, and extending the lead to a whopping eight points as we head into the new year.

91st min.: GOAL! Brighton! SCENES AT STAMFORD BRIDGE! Brighton is level! It's the substitute Danny Welbeck, only on 10 minutes prior. A brilliant bit of ball movement at the top of the box from Brighton, and Welbeck rises high to meet a looped delivery into the box, putting it side-netting where Mendy has no chance. What a moment! Chelsea pegged back.