Chelsea host Brighton
Chelsea are currently locked in action with Brighton, knowing that nothing but a win will be good enough for their title aspirations, as a defeat could see Manchester City pull 9 points clear come the end of the night as they host Brentford.
And, in welcome news, there were several returning players to the Blues lineup, with almost a full-strength side being able to be named by Thomas Tuchel after a COVID-19 outbreak at the club.
Your Chelsea team news tonight! ?@ParimatchGlobal | #CheBha pic.twitter.com/wPjevIyJnz
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 29, 2021
And the Blues started strongly, but were dealt a serious injury blow in the process.
Reece James forced off
Chelsea had already been dealt one injury scare in the opening proceedings as Andreas Christensen briefly went off the pitch, but were swiftly dealt a second, much more potentially serious blow.
Reece James, deputising at left-wing back after his fellow Englishman Ben Chilwell had been ruled out for the season, went down after 25 minutes with a seemingly innocuous injury, only for the defender to be forced off and replaced by Marcos Alonso.
Amazon Prime sport revealed during their coverage that they believed it was a hamstring injury for the young Englishman.
Andreas Christensen and Reece James have both been forced off following injuries. When it rains, it pours… #CFC #BHAFC #CHEBHA
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) December 29, 2021
The Blues have since been put 1-0 up from a Romelu Lukaku header from a Chelsea corner, but the injury could have more serious consequences in future games should James be ruled out for a long period of time, with wing-backs integral to Thomas Tuchel’s three at the back system.
With a replacement for Chilwell already potentially a job for January, could they also have to look for a replacement for Reece James?