There was a minute’s applause before kick-off in memory of former England manager Terry Venables, who also captained Chelsea in his playing days.
Venables’ best sides during his touchline career played with attacking flair, but this victory for Mauricio Pochettino’s men was built on resilience.
The Blues started well and deserved the lead given to them by Fernandez’s close-range header from Benoit Badiashile’s hooked cross.
When Colwill made it 2-0 soon after, it looked like they might run away with it against a Brighton side who were much changed following their Europa League exertions.
However, Chelsea were surprisingly flat following their quickfire double, allowing Brighton a foothold in the match, and they took advantage when Buonanotte received a pass from Adam Lallana, cut it from the right and bent the ball into the far corner.
When Gallagher, who had been booked for a hefty challenge on Buonanotte, then stretched to bring down Billy Gilmour and was sent off, Chelsea fans might have been fearing the sort of collapse they saw at Newcastle eight days previously.
Instead, though, there was a much-needed stubbornness from the home side. They were organised at the back and, for all Brighton’s possession, Chelsea defended stoutly and chances were at a premium.
“We deserved the win, but it was a complicated second half with one player less,” Pochettino told BBC Match of the Day.
“Brighton are a very good team and are playing well. Sometimes they force you to play deep but the attitude of the players was really good.
“The team is tired, we are all tired but overall happy. After Newcastle, we needed to show a different face. That’s why I’m happy.”
Joao Pedro’s late goal led to some late drama but Chelsea stood firm enough. The quality in their squad is clear but here they showed the kind of grit that will stand them in good stead going forward.
Coming back from two goals down to take a point, possibly three, at Stamford Bridge would have capped an already historic week for Roberto de Zerbi’s side.
Reaching the Europa League knockout phase with a win at AEK Athens on Thursday was an uplifting but tiring achievement.
Despite their best efforts in this game, it was not to be for the Seagulls.
“I think we played much better than Chelsea,” Brighton manager De Zerbi told BBC Match of the Day.
While Brighton responded admirably to going 2-0 down and enjoyed nearly 80% of possession in the second half, the frustration will be that they lacked the sharpness in the final third to really make it count.
Fatigue may have played a part, but with a busy December ahead and more European football to come in the new year, that is something Brighton will need to get used to.
“I’m really happy for the future of the club, but I want to win now and I want to reach the target now because we have to do better,” De Zerbi added. “We have to play in a stronger way.”
With so many injuries and suspensions to contend with, even in defeat there were points of encouragement for the Seagulls, and they will focus now on capitalising on home assignments against Brentford and Burnley in the coming days.
Source: BBC