Brighton and Hove Albion 1-1 Chelsea: 5 Talking Points & Tactical Analysis | Premier League 2019-20

#2 Brighton's set-piece frailties exposed as Azpilicueta scores

Azpilicueta's early goal gave Chelsea the lead

Chelsea began the game at a higher tempo, moving the ball about quickly and working together off it in order to create spaces and options for each other. Brighton meanwhile, struggled to take hold of their lines and in turn, awarded a lot of space for the likes of James and Mount.

Dan Burn, who walked off the pitch injured, couldn't quite get his geometrical and spacial positions right with respect to the way the midfielders provided cover.

The Seagulls, often astute with their set-piece procedures on either side of the pitch, failed to win both the first and second ball. Willian's well-taken corner was won by a leaping Zouma, who played it on for Abraham. There, if not for the first header, one simply shouldn't have allowed Abraham to drop in ahead and plant a shot.

César Azpilicueta has scored more goals in Europe’s top five leagues this decade than any other player.Lionel Messi who? pic.twitter.com/3h0ESAzYzT

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 1, 2020

Consequently, the strike was cleared off but straight to the Chelsea skipper, who treated himself with a tap-in. The visitors grew into the game on the same aspects, defending and communicating better at the back.