The statistics from yesterday’s draw at the Amex further highlight the balanced nature of the contest…
The two teams had identical shooting records, registering 16 attempts each, of which five were on target, four off target and seven blocked.
Seven of Brighton’s efforts stemmed from set-pieces, including their goal.
Christian Pulisic recorded a game-high five shots, and was the only player on the pitch to have more than one effort on target (two).
Possession was also pretty equal, with Chelsea having marginally more (52.4 per cent). Cesar Azpilicueta and Jorginho spent the most time on the ball (6.8 per cent), with the Spaniard having the most touches (101).
Our pass completion rate was 81 per cent (436 out of 537 successful). Lewis Dunk completed the most (60) followed by Jorginho (58). Mason Mount was the most accurate of those players who started the game, finding a team-mate 90 per cent of the time.
N’Golo Kante topped the list for key passes with four. No other Chelsea player made more than one.
Reece James’s three successful dribbles was a game-high figure. Kante, Pulisic and sub Callum Hudson-Odoi completed two each.
Brighton won 57 per cent of the 46 aerial duels contested, with nobody more dominant than Adam Webster, who won six.
We edged the successful tackles count with 26 won to Brighton’s 20. Kante and James won four each, a joint game-high figure with the Seagulls’ Martin Montoya.
Both teams were dispossessed 15 times.
Toni Rudiger (seven) and Kurt Zouma (six) made 13 clearances between them, leading the way in that department, while nobody bettered Azpilicueta’s five interceptions. James made four.