And so ends a long and proud day for Albion.

They stood firm against the threat of a proposed Super League and the menace of one of the nation's top teams.

First, off the pitch. On their own, pinning their colours to the mast with a categoric statement ahead of a meeting with fellow Premier League clubs.

Then as part of the joint statement by the 14 deemed not as Super as the rest.

And, finally, on the pitch with a point which nudges them closer to survival in the good old-fashioned Premier League.

It was their first such reward here at Stamford Bridge and it could have been a win.

A defensive performance of organisation, discipline, concentration and communication gave them the platform to go and clinch the game late on.

That would have been perfection.

Adam Lallana should have done so, Danny Welbeck might have done so when he hit the woodwork.

They were still attacking at the end after Ben White had been sent off.

It was a mature display by the Seagulls.

And a day when they stuck their chests out and refused to take a backward step against some very persuasive forces.