The Lionesses winger bagged the equaliser that allowed Sonia Bompastor's side to remain unbeaten this season, despite a tough day out

Chelsea came incredibly close to losing their first game under Sonia Bompastor on Sunday, but for a controversial equaliser by Lauren James. Brighton took the game to the reigning Women's Super League champions and they struggled under that pressure, going 2-1 down in a game that saw Lionesses star Keira Walsh subbed off at half-time and Naomi Girma, who the Blues paid a world-record fee for in January, have to come off less than an hour into her club debut. However, James was in the right place at the right time to bag a second-half equaliser in a 2-2 draw – although it was clear that the England winger had strayed offside before tapping in.

While Brighton started brilliantly on the south coast, it was Chelsea who actually broke the deadlock thanks to a sublime volley by Sandy Baltimore with just 17 minutes on the clock. The Seagulls would get a deserved equaliser just a few minutes later, though, when Marisa Olislagers' shot somehow flew past Hannah Hampton at her near post, and then they would go ahead before the break, thanks to a nice finish from Vicky Losada.

Bompastor didn't hesitate to make changes in a bid to change the game and it was one of those, Mayra Ramirez, who made the big difference when her saved effort rebounded into the path of a seemingly offside James to finish. The goal stood, though, giving the Blues half an hour, plus nine minutes of stoppage time, to find a winner. Yet, despite the star quality Bompastor was able to throw on, it wouldn't come, with Brighton themselves also threatening at the other end and having a strong penalty shout turned down.

In the end, given the fortunate circumstances surrounding their equaliser, the English champions may well be happy with the point they escaped with, even if it means their lead at the top of the WSL table was cut to five points today, thanks to Manchester United's win over Leicester earlier in the day.

GOAL rates Chelsea's players from the Broadfield Stadium…

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Hannah Hampton (6/10):

Questions to be asked of her for Brighton's equaliser, as it squeezed in between her and her near post, but made amends with a big save to deny Kirby before the break.

Lucy Bronze (5/10):

Put a few team-mates under pressure early on with some wayward passes and generally lacked the solidity she's shown for most of the season so far.

Millie Bright (6/10):

Was scrambling around a bit at times, with Brighton putting significant pressure on Chelsea and often getting in behind. Yet, it often wasn't her fault that she was exposed and she actually put several fires out to keep the Seagulls out.

Naomi Girma (5/10):

Was up against her former Stanford team-mate, Madison Haley, and she proved to be a real handful for someone who hadn't played since December. Grew into the game and looked better as it went, as shown by a goal-saving challenge on Losada, but she'll need time to get back up to speed. Went off before the hour after treatment.

Sandy Baltimore (6/10):

Showcased sublime technique when she volleyed in the opening goal, but was caught out in behind for Brighton's second.

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Keira Walsh (5/10):

Had a few loose touches here and there and failed to help Chelsea control the game as they might have liked. Off at half time.

Wieke Kaptein (5/10):

Worked hard off the ball but struggled to make things happen on it.

Sjoeke Nusken (6/10):

Was a little untidy in possession at times, but battled well and won most of her duels.

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Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (6/10):

Was always prodding, probing and trying to find that perfect through ball for a team-mate, causing problems with her direct approach. Didn't follow Losada properly for Brighton's second goal.

Aggie Beever-Jones (7/10):

Showed good movement to pick the ball up either deeper or out wide, and caused Brighton real problems with her desire to run at defenders.

Lauren James (7/10):

Lovely feet before putting in the cross that led to the opening goal, and then was in the right place at the right time to tap in the equaliser, though it should have been ruled offside.

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Oriane Jean-Francois (7/10):

Brought on at half time to try help Chelsea control the game, and they did have better joy with her on the pitch.

Mayra Ramirez (7/10):

Introduced just before the hour and made an immediate impact, causing problems and producing the saved effort that led to James' equaliser.

Nathalie Bjorn (6/10):

Replaced Girma with half an hour to go and settled in nicely enough as Chelsea started to turn the screw.

Catarina Macario (N/A):

Entered the game with less than 10 minutes to go but, despite her regular exploits as a super-sub, she couldn't find a winner.

Ashley Lawrence (N/A):

On at the same time as Macario but couldn't help Chelsea find the goal they were after, even in a more advanced role.

Sonia Bompastor (7/10):

Was proactive with her changes when things were not going Chelsea's way and those introduced made a real impact.