SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 5 hrs
Upcoming predictions and previews

Timo Werner scores first Chelsea goal in draw at Brighton & Hove Albion

:Headline: Result: Timo Werner scores first Chelsea goal in draw at Brighton & Hove Albion: ID:412192: from db_amp
Seagulls supporters were back at the Amex Stadium.

Brighton welcomed fans back at the Amex Stadium for Saturday's friendly against Chelsea, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

The Premier League club admitted 2,524 supporters, with strict social distancing measures in place around the ground and for seating in the sparsely populated stands.

The pre-season game was part of a number of pilot events announced by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport for a phased return of spectators following the ban on mass gatherings introduced in March due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Plenty of safety measures were in place as fans returned to watch live football for the first time since March (Adam Davy/PA)

There were plenty of hand sanitisation points on the approaches to the ground, while face coverings were also required for fans – many sporting the Seagulls' blue and white colours – while they were queueing to get in, although not while seated.

A digital match ticket was scanned for entry into the stadium, with cashless transactions at kiosks and there was signage reminding fans of the need to regularly wash hands.

When the action got under way, Chelsea – who have a number of players in quarantine after returning from their summer break and are following government guidelines on self-isolation – took an early lead after just four minutes.

Fans were keeping their distance in the stands (Adam Davy/PA)

Morocco international Hakim Ziyech, one of several new recruits, crossed for Callum Hudson-Odoi to knock the ball down and summer arrival Timo Werner slotted home.

Brighton had a chance to equalise five minutes into the second half after Lewis Dunk was pulled down by Antonio Rudiger to concede a penalty.

Blues goalkeeper Willy Caballero, who replaced Kepa Arrizabalaga at half-time, saved Neal Maupay's spot-kick.

Brighton fans were able to take in the action at the Amex Stadium again (Adam Davy/PA)

Chelsea winger Ziyech, a summer transfer from Ajax, was substituted after looking to have twisted his knee.

During the closing stages, Seagulls stand-in keeper Christian Walton had to be taken off on a stretcher with what appeared to be a serious ankle injury after falling following a corner.

Brighton secured a draw in stoppage time when Aaron Connolly was fouled by Ethan Ampadu and Pascal Gross converted the penalty.

The Seagulls are set to host Chelsea again in their opening Premier League match on September 14, which is currently scheduled to be played behind closed doors.

Brighton boss Graham Potter hopes more fans will get the chance to see the team in action again soon.

"I thought it was a fantastic day – a small step to getting back to normal as soon as we can safely do so," Potter told the club's official website.

"It was so nice to see fans here because as we know it brings a completely different dynamic to the stadium and I thought they made a lot of noise and really got involved in the game. Hopefully they enjoyed the performance as well.

"I think people at the club deserve a lot of credit for the work that has gone in and hopefully it was the first successful step to a return to normal at some stage in the future."

amp_article__412192 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-08-29 17:50:15:
html db last update - 2021-03-11 01:36:00 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .