Chelsea's hope of somewhat resurrecting the Premier League title race never got going as a 'tired' Blues side dropped more points against Brighton.
Hakim Ziyech's somewhat wonder striker was cancelled out with ease in the second half by an unmarked Adam Webster who powered home from a corner to restore parity.
The European Champions huffed and puffed but it was in fact Graham Potter and his side who can count themselves unlucky not to pick out maximum points in this encounter.
Manager Thomas Tuchel reflected in his post-match press conference: "No, but it's hard to analyse games like this. We have to respect the opponent. It is very, very tough to play at Brighton. They played it like a cup game and the noise at the final whistle was as if we'd lost the game. This can very give you the impression we lost and we didn't lost.
"Other teams will struggle to get points here. It is tough when you are at full strength and are not tired. So there are some obstacles to overcome and I refuse today to be angry because it's not about our ambition or our want.
"We were a bit lucky to be one goal ahead and maybe we can take advantage and score a second one. But we struggle to show the quality and we know the reasons behind it. We demand a lot from us but it is not the moment to be too harsh with the team."
'Tired' was the order of the day and it's certainly safe to say that a top four scrap is now on, considering the games in hand teams around the west London club have.
With all being taken into consideration, football.london takes a look at the response to this latest set-back against Potter's fluid Brighton side who have gone a season unbeaten against Chelsea.
THE GUARDIAN
All evening, Thomas Tuchel gave off the energy of a man who was waiting for something to go wrong. He flung his arms in the air, he stood with his hands on his head and at times he simply muttered to himself, his irritation clear as he watched Chelsea’s players take it in turns to offer the initiative to Brighton.
There was no way of fooling Tuchel, even when Hakim Ziyech gave Chelsea a hugely undeserved lead midway through the first half. The German knew better than to expect Brighton to lie down. Potter’s side were the stronger throughout and Chelsea, who are winless in their last four league matches, could have no complaints when Adam Webster cancelled out Ziyech’s goal midway through the first half.
THE DAILY MAIL
The roads were icy en route to the Amex Stadium as winter took grip - and Chelsea slipped up again.
As temperatures plummeted here on the south coast, the European champions failed to fire-up their stagnating title challenge as they froze on the Premier League stage once more.
Brighton were well worth their point. Indeed, Chelsea should have been grateful with the draw, it could have been far worse.
How did you rate the 'tired' players from the draw on Wednesday night in Brighton? Make your selections below!
The Mirror
Chelsea's campaign could yet self implode after they dropped more points at Brighton on Tuesday night.
Defeat at the weekend appeared to end their Premier League title hopes but Thomas Tuchel saw his team held once more by the Seagulls.
It means Chelsea have won just one of their last seven games.
The Telegraph
Any prospect of the Premier League title might have been all but conceded by Thomas Tuchel on Saturday, but this was a night which asked even more profound questions of a Chelsea team that often found themselves outplayed by the upwardly mobile Brighton and Hove Albion.
Draws and near misses are becoming something of a drag for Graham Potter too, although the expectations are not quite as great on a Brighton manager whose side are playing some extremely accomplished football on a tighter budget. Much more of a worry for Tuchel whose players might well have lost this game and seem to find elusive the rhythm and intensity that took them all the way to Champions League triumph in May.
The Sun
FORGET the title race, Chelsea could end up being snookered in the battle for the top four at this rate.
Thomas Tuchel’s side, watched on by newly-crowned Masters champion and Blues fan Neil Robertson, continued their miserable winter by throwing away another win here.
