Chelsea extended their winless Premier League run to four games and missed the chance to go second in the table after drawing 1-1 with Brighton.

Thomas Tuchel's side could have gone above Liverpool with victory at the Amex Stadium, and they went ahead during a first-half lull as Hakim Ziyech hammered home from the top of the area in the 28th minute.

Brighton showed plenty of promise without much end product and looked headed for another result where the scoreline did match their performance. But on the hour, an unmarked Adam Webster - named captain for the evening - nodded home to see the Seagulls go five games unbeaten in the Premier League.

The opening 15 minutes were a quiet affair at a chilly Amex Stadium, and Brighton could have taken an early lead. Danny Welbeck flicked the ball into Jakub Moder's path, but he just sent his effort wide. It took 14 minutes for Chelsea's first shot as Cesar Azpilicueta's effort was tipped over the crossbar by Robert Sanchez.

The game continued to meander and out of nowhere, Chelsea took the lead just before the break. It was some neat play between N'Golo Kante and Ziyech on the right before the latter swept the ball under the outstretched leg of Alexis Mac Allister. Sanchez got a hand to it but it fizzed past him and into the back of the net.

Chelsea threatened a second soon after as Marcos Alonso fired a cross in from the left, but Sanchez was there to punch away. Jorginho then skied the rebound into the stands. It was a similar story for Callum Hudson-Odoi just before the break too, who looked certain to score on the angle, but lifted his effort over the crossbar.

Brighton continued to steal possession in a number of promising positions throughout the first half, but they ended it without a shot on target. However, immediately after the break, they fired a warning shot at Chelsea. Welbeck was fed down the left of the area, but lifted his shot over the target.

Chelsea's drop in form

Since the start of November, Chelsea have won one more Premier League game than Norwich and eight fewer than Man City.

On the hour mark, Brighton found the target twice - and one was the equaliser. It came from a corner, won by Mac Allister as Kepa pushed his effort away at the near post. The midfielder then delivered the set-piece, with Webster completely unmarked and able to emphatically head the ball home.

Immediately after the goal, Welbeck made way for Neal Maupay and Brighton kicked into another gear. The substitute striker continued to test the Chelsea defender, while Webster's Lionel Messi-inspired run into the area saw his squared ball easily collected by Kepa

Both sides continued to push for the winner and Tuchel - fresh from his win as best men's coach at the FIFA Best awards on Monday - made his intention clear in the 80th minute when he made a triple substitution, bringing on Mateo Kovacic, Kai Havertz and Timo Werner.

But the trio could not inspire Chelsea to victory - Kovacic having the best effort as he lashed an effort wide - as the Blues missed the chance to keep some semblance of pace with Manchester City in first. They remain third on 44 points, one point behind Liverpool who have two games in hand.

Player ratings

Brighton: Sanchez (6), Veltman (6), Webster (8), Burn (7), Cucurella (7), Lamptey (7), Gross (7), Mac Allister (7), Moder (7), Alzate (6), Welbeck (7).

Subs used: Maupay (7), Trossard (6), March (6).

Chelsea: Kepa (6), Rudiger (7), Silva (7), Alonso (6), Azpilicueta (7), Kante (7), Jorginho (6), Mount (6), Hudson-Odoi (6), Ziyech (7), Lukaku (6).

Subs used: Werner (5), Havertz (5), Kovacic (6).

Man of the match: Adam Webster.

Brighton remain in ninth as their recent resurgence continues, and will now have one eye on a potential European push, just three points behind Manchester United in seventh.

Man of the match - Adam Webster

A captain's performance from the centre-back. Not only did he do his job at the back - racking up the most clearances in the Brighton team (6) - he nodded home brilliantly for Brighton's equaliser and had a hand in a few other attacking moments too.

He told BT Sport: "In the first half, we were by far the better team and it was a goal out of nowhere really with a little
deflection.

"It was a bit of a low blow for us, because we were the better team, but we stuck in there as we have done all season.

"We have gone behind quite a lot of times and have always shown a lot of character to come back and get something from the game."

Opta stats - Brighton on the up as Chelsea falter again

Brighton are now unbeaten in each of their last three Premier League games against sides starting the day in the top three (D3), having lost 17 of their previous 22 such games (W3 D2).

After four clean sheets in five games, Chelsea have only kept four clean sheets across their last 16 matches in all competitions.

All four of Hakim Ziyech's Premier League goals for Chelsea have come away from home, scoring at Turf Moor, the Etihad Stadium, Vicarage Road and the Amex Stadium.

Chelsea have conceded two headers in the Premier League this season, both of which have been scored by Brighton players; Danny Welbeck in December and Adam Webster this evening.

What's next?

Brighton are back in action on Sunday when they take on Leicester in the Premier League; kick-off 2pm. Chelsea play on the same day and face another huge fixture when they welcome Tottenham to Stamford Bridge, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 4.30pm.

Teams

Brighton & Hove Albion Sanchez, Lamptey (March 77), Veltman, Webster (c), Burn, Cucurella, Gross (Trossard 62), Moder, Mac Allister, Welbeck (Maupay 62), Alzate
Subs Not Used Scherpen, McGill, Caicedo, Roberts, Leonard, Ferguson
Booked Burn
Goals Webster 60

Chelsea Kepa, Azpilicueta (c), Silva, Rudiger, Hudson-Odoi, Kante, Jorginho (Kovacic 81), Alonso, Mount, Ziyech (Werner 81), Lukaku (Havertz 80)
Subs Not Used Bettinelli, Hall, Sarr, Loftus-Cheek, Saul, Pulisic
Booked Alonso, Rudiger
Goals Ziyech 28

Attendance 30,880

Referee Kevin Friend

VAR Andre Marriner