Albion 1 Chelsea 1

Albion do not know when or where they will see their fans again.

But this pioneering experience at the Amex will have boosted hopes it will be a happy occasion.

And that it might happen sooner rather than late.

Deputy chairman Paul Barber, who led the way for 2,500 fans to return, described the behaviour of the paying public as “magnificent” after a pilot event with implications for the footballing nation.

On the pitch, Graham Potter’s side weren’t magnificent – but they were pretty good.

They were lively enough to give the socially-distanced crowd moments to enthuse over.

And, for what it is worth in pre-season, they deserved the draw given them when Pascal Gross converted a 90th minute penalty.

Willy Caballero, the goalkeeper he beat low to his right, had earlier dived the other way to keep out a Neal Maupay spot kick.

And Adam Webster headed on to the top of the bar as Albion looked to cancel out a very early goal by the unattended Timo Werner.

Albion’s day was tarnished by what looked a serious ankle injury to goalkeeper Christian Walton as he landed badly when catching a corner.

But the upbeat feel of the “Graham Potter’s blue and white army” chant as the boss and his players went to the fans at full-time was not just due to long lay-off.

This, of course, was the first time players and supporters had been as one since the draw at Wolves almost six months ago. It also felt like it reflected much of what the punters present and watching via a live online stream had witnessed.

Potter said: “Generally I’m happy with how the players have been.

“Their attitude, how they have come back.

“The group is developing all the time.

“We have had some younger players in, which gives a bit of freshness to the whole group.

“I’m pleased but we will use every minute we have together because we can still improve.”

Even without the injured Davy Proper and rested Glenn Murray, Albion got through 24 players.

They used two sets of 11 and then had to send on Robert Sanchez for Walton and Max Sanders for Dale Stephens, who suffered a knock to the head.

It is tempting to the think the first half XI are favourites for starting spots when the league starts.

That would mean the eye-catching Yves Bissouma as the centrepiece of midfield, a role he took with great effect here.

The Argus:

He played, competed, patrolled and cajoled ahead of a back three comprising Webster (to the left), Lewis Dunk and Ben White (to the right).

Joel Veltman offered a very different right wing-back option to the flying Tariq Lamptey, who took over at half-time.

And Solly March was given another chance to shine as the left wing-back.

Adam Lallana looked like he is still getting up to speed but provided some nice touches and Steven Alzate picked up where he left off before his groin injury.

Leandro Trossard excited and frustrated and Maupay, apart from the penalty, barely got a sight of goal.

Albion will want to create more chances from their good football But then others stated good cases after wholesale line-up changes were made.

Jayson Molumby, the young midfielder back from loan at Millwall, was an example of that. Alexis Mac Allister was another.

The Argentinian has arguably seen star signing Lallana come in to compete with him for a place.

But he looked fired up to make an impression and that hunger was a big part of the late equaliser.

He showed desire to win the ball back and dummied over a return pass, allowing Aaron Connolly to take possession the box.

Connolly was felled by Ethan Ampadu, whose argument that he got the ball seemed to have some merit, and Gross put away the penalty.

Equally, there was a strong hint of offside about Werner’s finish which gave Chelsea the lead.

Sanchez saved with his left foot from Olivier Giroud late on and the Frenchman ended the game with his celebrated locks swathed in bandages after a clash.

These sides go head to head again 14 days from today for what will be – unless things change dramatically – purely a TV audience.

It could be decent viewing.

Albion: Ryan (Walton 62, Sanchez 80); Veltman (Lamptey 46), White (Duffy 62), Dunk (Bernardo 62), Webster (Burn 62), March (Connolly 62), Bissouma (Stephens 62, Sanders 73), Alzate (Molumby 46), Lallana (Mac Allister 46); Maupay (Gross 62), Trossard (Jahanbakhsh 62).