ALIREZA JAHANBAKHSH stunned Chelsea with a New Year’s Day wonder-strike.
The Iranian, who burst into tears after netting his first Prem goal against Bournemouth on Saturday, kept his emotions in check this time.
Jahanbakhsh scored an incredible overhead kick to salvage a draw for BrightonCredit: Reuters
The Brighton star’s acrobatic effort levelled the scores with just minutes to playCredit: PA:Press Association
But his brilliant overhead kick, six minutes from time, gave Kepa no chance and gave Graham Potter’s men a point their refusal to give up merited.
It was one to remember as well, beating Kepa from 14 yards after Lewis Dunk headed a corner back across goal.
Kepa, who had just done superbly to keep out Aaron Connolly, was powerless this time round.
And while Chelsea had been in command for 84 minutes, they ended up being indebted to the Spaniard for a late foot-stop to foil Neal Maupay.
Lampard would have been frustrated after Chelsea dominated for long periods after Cesar Azpilicueta fired them ahead.
The Spaniard would have been an outside bet to score the first Prem goal of the new decade.
But it was the defender who was on hand to turn in from three yards in the tenth minute after Aaron Mooy blocked on the line from Tammy Abraham.
Brighton’s cause was not helped when they lost Dan Burn before the mid-way point of the first half, the defender’s shirt turned into a makeshift sling to carry his left arm following a juddering – but entirely legitimate – clash with Reece James.
And Chelsea could have been two to the good soon afterwards, when Abraham caught Davy Propper in possession 40 yards out.
The striker advanced to the edge of the box, with Lampard screaming for him to find the rampaging Willian, but instead went for goal and saw his shot deflected behind.
Brighton’s only attempt on goal had been an angled strike by Steven Alzate, as Chelsea bossed the game.
But after Graham Potter switched Mooy wide from his initial role at the tip of the diamond, the home side started to get some joy.
Jahanbakhsh could barely believe his ambitious effort found the back of the netCredit: Reuters
Cesar Azpilicueta scored the first Premier League goal of 2020Credit: Reuters
Two minutes before the interval, Neal Maupay tore down the left before pulling back for Leandro Trossard to test Kepa for the first time.
Pulisic, a constant menace, had efforts either side of the break, just wide with the first before stinging Mat Ryan’s fingers when he was found by Mason Mount, while N’Golo Kante and Reece James were off target.
And their failure to capitalise was punished by the Iranian’s late wonder show, as Potter’s Seagulls started the new year on a high.
Azpilicueta’s early strike had put Chelsea in the driving seatCredit: AFP
Dan Burn went off injured with what appeared to be a dislocated shoulderCredit: PA:Press Association
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
