Chelsea Drop Points Against Brighton as Manchester City Move eIght points Clear
Matchday 20 marked the final set of Premier League fixtures in 2021, as Chelsea welcomed Brighton and Mancity made a visit to Brentford.
Chelsea who were hoping to close the gap between them and league leaders Man City were unsuccessful after a draw with Brighton as the League leaders moved eight points clear with a win against Brentford
Welbeck's Stoppage Time Goal Denies Chelsea Three Points
Chelsea looked on course to move three points clear of Liverpool thanks to Romelu Lukaku's second goal in as many games, yet the Seagulls stole a point in stoppage time courtesy of Danny Welbeck's fine header.
Danny Welbeck, however coming from the bench scored in stoppage time as Brighton and Hove Albion deservedly claimed a 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, December 29.
Chelsea have now dropped 11 points from leading positions in the Premier League this season – more than they did in the whole of last season (10).
The European champions are without a number of first-team players due to COVID-19 and injury, with Reece James and Andreas Christensen adding to Tuchel's woes after sustaining problems against Graham Potter's side at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are next in action on Sunday, December 2, as they welcome Liverpool to Stamford Bridge in what is a game both sides might already consider a must-win as they look to keep pace with leaders Manchester City, who beat Brentford in Wednesday's other match to move eight points clear heading into 2022.
Manchester City Move Eight Points Clear
Phil Foden's first-half strike was enough as Manchester City beat Brentford 1-0 to extend their winning Premier League run to 10 matches and move eight points clear at the top.
City had a couple of goals disallowed in the second half but moved further clear at the summit following Liverpool's loss to Leicester City on Tuesday and Chelsea's home draw with Brighton and Hove Albion in Wednesday's other fixture.
The Citizens had scored 17 goals in their previous three league games but were made to work hard at the Brentford Community Stadium in their final game of 2021.
City have won each of their last 10 Premier League games – the fourth time they have had a run of 10+ consecutive league wins under Guardiola. No other manager in Premier League history has had more than two separate runs of 10+ wins.
City begin 2022 with a trip to in-form Arsenal on Saturday, though Mikel Arteta will not be on the sideline to face his former team after testing positive for COVID-19, while Brentford host Aston Villa the following day.