As Chelsea’s possession climbed down from plans to affix a breakaway Super League, the crew climbed into the highest 4 of the Premier League with a far-from-impressive 0-0 draw in opposition to Brighton on Tuesday.
Thomas Tuchel’s facet was stifled inside Stamford Bridge, barely making a clear-cut probability in opposition to the relegation-threatened guests who almost snatched victory within the ultimate quarter-hour as Danny Welbeck struck the submit.
Defender Ben White was despatched off in stoppage time for Brighton after amassing a second yellow card.
The level moved Chelsea above West Ham on objective distinction and into fourth place, the ultimate Champions League qualification place. Chelsea and West Ham play one another on Saturday.
There was extra to rejoice exterior the stadium for Chelsea’s followers who had gathered earlier than the match to protest in opposition to the membership’s determination, first introduced late Sunday, to assist create a brand new, closed-off European league for elite golf equipment.
Kickoff was delayed by quarter-hour after Chelsea’s crew bus was slowed entering into Stamford Bridge due to the protests. Petr Cech, Chelsea’s technical director, received off the bus to speak to the indignant supporters, who could possibly be heard calling him a “traitor” in video footage on social media.
Around the identical time, followers had been seen leaping up and down in celebration as experiences filtered via that the membership was making ready to withdraw from the Super League.
“It was nice to see the supporters out there, it was nice to see that feeling, that emotion, and everyone’s response today,” Brighton supervisor Graham Potter mentioned. “It was universal in how everyone got behind the issue.”
Tuchel mentioned he and his gamers had been affected by all of the speak concerning the Super League.
“We talk of nothing else but Super League before the match,” he mentioned. “Nobody asked about the match.”
During the sport, Manchester City turned the primary membership to substantiate its withdrawal from the scheme.
Chelsea was making ready paperwork to inform the Super League it desires out, an individual with information of the choice advised The Associated Press. The particular person spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of Chelsea was but to ship its determination to the organizers of the brand new competitors.
Brighton moved seven factors away from the relegation zone and has a sport in hand over third-from-last Fulham.