righton and Hove Albion 1-1 Chelsea: Jahanbakhsh stunner pegs back Blues.

Goal-shy winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh scored for a second game running as Brighton battled to a point at home to Chelsea on Wednesday.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh stunned Chelsea with a late overhead-kick to earn Brighton and Hove Albion a hard-fought 1-1 draw on New Year's Day.

The Iran winger ended his long wait for a first Brighton goal against Bournemouth on Saturday, celebrating with joyful tears, and his second quickly followed in a stylish start to 2020.

Chelsea looked to be easing towards a third straight Premier League away win after Cesar Azpilicueta's early strike, failing to add to their lead but largely comfortable at the other end.

However, Jahanbakhsh leapt into an outstanding volley with six minutes of normal time remaining, and Frank Lampard's fourth-placed side were clinging on by full-time.
Chelsea had made a confident start - in stark contrast to the awful early display in Sunday's smash-and-grab at Arsenal - and soon led through their captain.

Tammy Abraham's low shot on the turn following a corner was blocked by Aaron Mooy in front of the goal line, but the loose ball fell kindly for Azpilicueta to prod past the grounded, helpless Mat Ryan.

First-half chances were hard to come by thereafter, although Blues goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga had to be alert to palm clear a Leandro Trossard effort two minutes before the break.

Not until the 80th minute was Arrizabalaga seriously tested again, scrambling to keep out half-time introduction Aaron Connolly's finish.

It was another substitute who came up with the decisive moment, though, Jahanbakhsh executing a sensational strike that left Arrizabalaga rooted.

Callum Hudson-Odoi blasted just over as Chelsea chased a winner, but they were again grateful to their goalkeeper as a point was preserved, Neal Maupay's powerful drive well blocked.

What does it mean? Rare away-day blues as Brighton rock Chelsea

Only Liverpool (25) have mustered more points away from home than Chelsea (22) this term, but Lampard must feel this was a missed opportunity. The Blues were largely comfortable until the closing stages when Brighton's substitutes wreaked havoc. With their home form a cause for concern right now, Chelsea cannot afford to throw away victories on the road.

Brighton's man of the moment

Jahanbakhsh was a club-record signing for Brighton in 2018, the deal reportedly worth £17million. That is finally starting to look like money well spent.

Emotional after breaking his duck against Bournemouth, the winger - like many in the stadium - appeared to be in a state of shock after this quite magnificent finish.

Bumbling Bissouma hooked

Mooy understandably enjoyed the majority of the plaudits following Brighton's weekend defeat of Bournemouth, but midfield colleague Yves Bissouma had been similarly impressive.

The same could not be said against Chelsea.The 23-year-old struggled with the pace of the game and lost possession 15 times, completing just 13 of his 22 passes, before he was replaced at half-time by Connolly.

Key Opta Facts

- Brighton earned their first point in a league game against Chelsea, in what was their 10th match against them.
- This was Chelsea's first away Premier League draw this season – the Blues had won seven and lost three of their 10 previous games on the road this term.
- Chelsea have scored more goals in 11 Premier League away games this season (25) than they managed on the road in the whole of 2018-19 (24).
- Azpilicueta has scored three goals in his last 11 games in all competitions for Chelsea, as many as he had in his previous 118.
- Jahanbakhsh became the fifth different Brighton player to score a Premier League goal as a substitute this season, more than any other side in the competition.
- Despite only coming on as a 68th-minute substitute, no Brighton player had more shots (3) or created more chances (3) than goalscorer Jahanbakhsh.

What's next?

A hectic Premier League stretch comes to an end, but there are matches again this weekend in the FA Cup. Brighton host second-tier Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, before Chelsea are also at home to Championship opposition in Nottingham Forest the following day.

TRANSFERS
Man Utd continue striker search after Haaland snub but Solskjaer won’t spend for the sake of it.
The Red Devils missed out on the talented teenager to Borussia Dortmund, but they will be keeping their eye out for possible alternatives in January.
Manchester United remain in the hunt for another striker after being snubbed by Erling Braut Haaland, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he will not spend “for the sake of three or four months”.

The Red Devils had been hoping to win the race for one of the most exciting frontmen in European football.

Haaland has, however, opted to head for Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund, leaving fellow Norwegian Solskjaer to turn his attention elsewhere.
The January market will be scoured for possible alternatives, but United will only make a move if suitable competition for the likes of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood can be found.

Pressed on whether he will look to bring in another frontman, Solskjaer told reporters ahead of a New Year’s Day meeting with Arsenal: “I'm a striker by nature and I've always been an optimist.

“I'm optimistic we can keep players fit and if the right ones become available we do have the resources and I do have the backing from the board.

“One addition, and if you get two additions, of course that will be competition for places.

“But it's also about getting the right ones. It has to be. There's no point suddenly bringing someone else in now for the sake of three or four months if that can disrupt any good feeling or chemistry in the group, because the chemistry in the group is really good.

“It has to be the right type and it has to be a good investment for the long-term as well.

“We always believed Anthony and Marcus were going to score goals but Mason has filled a big void, he's chipped in with goals.

“So I'm not worried about goals from centre-forwards. Mason's on eight now. Marcus is on 15 and Anthony has quite a few (10).

“Romelu [Lukaku] is a good striker and he'll always score goals but it was time for him to move on. We didn't find the right one outside our club (in the summer) but we had Mason.”

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LIVE SCORES

TRANSFERS
Man Utd continue striker search after Haaland snub but Solskjaer won’t spend for the sake of it
Chris Burton

Getty Images
The Red Devils missed out on the talented teenager to Borussia Dortmund, but they will be keeping their eye out for possible alternatives in January

Manchester United remain in the hunt for another striker after being snubbed by Erling Braut Haaland, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he will not spend “for the sake of three or four months”.

The Red Devils had been hoping to win the race for one of the most exciting frontmen in European football.

Haaland has, however, opted to head for Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund, leaving fellow Norwegian Solskjaer to turn his attention elsewhere.

Editors' Picks
Messi: I would've loved Neymar to return to Barcelona
The January market will be scoured for possible alternatives, but United will only make a move if suitable competition for the likes of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood can be found.

Pressed on whether he will look to bring in another frontman, Solskjaer told reporters ahead of a New Year’s Day meeting with Arsenal: “I'm a striker by nature and I've always been an optimist.

“I'm optimistic we can keep players fit and if the right ones become available we do have the resources and I do have the backing from the board.

“One addition, and if you get two additions, of course that will be competition for places.

“But it's also about getting the right ones. It has to be. There's no point suddenly bringing someone else in now for the sake of three or four months if that can disrupt any good feeling or chemistry in the group, because the chemistry in the group is really good.

“It has to be the right type and it has to be a good investment for the long-term as well.

“We always believed Anthony and Marcus were going to score goals but Mason has filled a big void, he's chipped in with goals.

“So I'm not worried about goals from centre-forwards. Mason's on eight now. Marcus is on 15 and Anthony has quite a few (10).

“Romelu [Lukaku] is a good striker and he'll always score goals but it was time for him to move on. We didn't find the right one outside our club (in the summer) but we had Mason.”

Manchester United 2019-20

United will explore all options in January, from front to back, with Solskjaer adamant that the club are heading in the right direction as they prepare to enter a new decade.

He added: “We will consign this decade definitely, that's just in the nature of this club. But 2020 sounds quite good for me. I'm going to make 2020 a good year for myself.

“I think we're on the right track. We are in a transition period, we've seen other clubs do it and come out strong after a couple of years.

“We're improving. I think we can see more and more of what we want to be and our identity and what we're good at. We're making games suit our style more and more.
“We've played the same way for a little while and we're getting use to each other. We're quite a bit away still from where we want to be and we'll have ups and downs, but less and less of the downs hopefully.

“I've said we're not a Manchester City, we can't out-play and out-football teams like they do yet, but hopefully in a few years we can.

“It's not going to be overnight. It's only them who can do that. We are more fast-flowing, quicker attacking football.”

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TRANSFERS
Arturo Vidal would take Inter up a level, says Zanetti
Tom Webber

Getty Images
Javier Zanetti thinks signing Arturo Vidal in January would provide Inter with a significant boost.
Signing Arturo Vidal from Barcelona would take Inter up a level, according to vice-president Javier Zanetti.

Chile international Vidal has been heavily linked with a move to the Nerazzurri in January and refused to rule out a switch when asked about the subject last week.

The 32-year-old has started just six games in all competitions for Barca this season, though he has scored five goals in LaLiga.
Inter are reportedly hoping to seal a loan with an obligation to buy the experienced midfielder and Zanetti feels his arrival would be a significant boost.

"We'll see how the transfer window goes, as we have a month to get things done," he told ESPN.

"Vidal is a player with great character and experience, so we'll see what happens. We are talking about a player who can certainly take us up a level, and we are already at a good level."

Inter are top of Serie A on goal difference and return to action against Napoli next Monday.

It was reported in December 2018 that the 31-year-old had become frustrated with a lack of action at Barcelona, and matters reached a head when he posted an angry emoji on Instagram after being left out of a Champions League match with Tottenham at Wembley.

"There was a little bit of annoyance, but it's in the past," he said in an interview at the time. "A player always wants to play and to be important. You come here to contribute, not to cause problems in such an important team.
"It was a little bit of a heated thing, but it's in the past. I'm only thinking about working, doing things well and winning titles.

"I try to do what the coach wants and give what I know from my career. I can steal balls, attack and defend, and give my best.

"Some people get confused and aren't sure what it is I do. There aren't many midfielders who can do what I can, which is to go box to box. This is good for the team."

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