Brighton & Hove Albion 2-2 Stoke City

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored his first goal since a draw with Manchester United in September

Brighton stretched their unbeaten run in the Premier League to five games as they and visitors Stoke drew a lively encounter at the Amex.

Jose Izquierdo secured a point for the Seagulls with a scrappy second-half goal that kept them ninth in the table.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting had poked Stoke into the lead from a wonderful Xherdan Shaqiri pass in the first half.

Pascal Gross fired through Lee Grant's legs to level, but Kurt Zouma headed Stoke back in front 120 seconds later.

Those two goals came at the end of a frantic first half during which Brighton forward Glenn Murray was denied what looked a certain penalty when Ryan Shawcross brought him down.

A frustrated Murray was perhaps fortunate to be only booked moments later when he dived in on Stoke centre-back Kevin Wimmer.

Stoke had chances to take all three points, but were denied by several key saves from Seagulls goalkeeper Mat Ryan.

The draw keeps Mark Hughes' Potters side 15th in the table, four points above the relegation zone.

Seagulls stutter but maintain solid start

Pascal Gross levelled for Brighton, exactly 120 seconds before Kurt Zouma restored Stoke's lead

Brighton have not lost in the Premier League since a visit to Arsenal on 1 October and, nearly a third of the way through the season, occupy a top-half spot.

Much of the Seagulls' impressive start has been built on a solid defence, with only five teams having conceded fewer than the 13 goals they have shipped this season.

Shaqiri's pass and Choupo-Moting's touch and finish for Stoke's opening goal was a moment of magic, but it was an uncharacteristically sloppy moment in Brighton's defence that saw their visitors lead at half-time.

Unmarked inside the six-yard box, Chelsea loanee Zouma was free to nod in after Brighton failed to clear a corner that ricocheted off captain Bruno's back.

The hosts put themselves under pressure with some slack passing in their own third too, notably giving the ball away in the second half and forcing goalkeeper Ryan into a smart save from Ramadan Sobhi.

Brighton did show resilience to equalise twice, with Gross helping in Davy Propper's cross and Izquierdo the quickest to react from close range after seeing his initial shot saved by Stoke goalkeeper Grant.

Shaqiri inspires Stoke

Xherdan Shaqiri was replaced by Peter Crouch on 73 minutes

Stoke boss Hughes said his side were "in control of the game", but the Potters failed to to hold on for a victory that would have lifted them into the top half of the division.

While the Darren Fletcher-Joe Allen axis impressed for the visitors in central midfield, it was the unpredictability of Shaqiri in front that proved a constant threat until he was replaced by Peter Crouch with 17 minutes remaining.

BBC Radio 5 live's Steve Claridge called the Switzerland international "a little magician" and having delved into his box of tricks to create the first, Shaqiri nearly gave Stoke a second-half lead when he flashed a left-footed shot wide from long range.

But while Stoke impressed in spells going forward, they too were suspect at the back and Shawcross was lucky not to give away a penalty for a mistimed tackle on Murray.

Hughes said he was "disappointed" by the two goals Stoke conceded, and Izquierdo's second-half goal will be a particular concern, with the Colombia international allowed two attempts to score.

Festive frenzy a test for both?

This fixture begins a run of 11 games in 42 days for both sides, finishing on New Year's Day.

Brighton boss Chris Hughton says it will be "a period that will test us and give us an indication of where we are" with the Seagulls set to face Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham in that spell.

Brighton have used 19 players, not including unused substitutes, since their promotion to the top flight - only Burnley (17) and Leicester (18) have used fewer - and named an unchanged side for the fourth successive match.

Stoke, meanwhile, also face Spurs and Liverpool, as well as champions Chelsea, as the Potters look to move clear of the drop zone.

Man of the match - Darren Fletcher (Stoke City)

Providing the base for which Shaqiri could build his brilliance, Fletcher made more passes (52) than anyone else on his side, four of which were key passes, and also had more touches (71) than any other Potters player.

'Video replays would clear penalty decision up'

Brighton boss Chris Hughton: "We showed great character to come back twice. The draw was a fair result. Our levels weren't perhaps what they've been in other games.

"We are going to concede goals - the frustration with their second is we worked hard to get back into the game and showed some naivety."

On his side's penalty appeal: "It was a definite penalty. I was certain it would be given, if not by the referee then the linesman on that side.

"When video replays come in, it will clear up some of these instances. At the moment, you're relying on the referee making a judgement or getting into a position - and if that's not the case you have two assistants and a fourth official to help. I find it difficult to understand the assistant doesn't see it the same way I do."

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes: "As an away side, I suppose we have to be happy but we got ourselves into a winning position twice and didn't see it out. Brighton didn't cause us too many problems. We're disappointed with the goals we conceded.

"One of our things tonight was we created good opportunities in good areas and then you have to produce the quality ball."

Crouch comes off the bench, for 143rd time - the stats

• Peter Crouch became the most used substitute in the Premier League with his 143rd appearance off the bench putting him one ahead of Shola Ameobi.

• Pascal Gross has been directly involved in 62% of Brighton's 13 Premier League goals this season, scoring three and assisting five.

• Kurt Zouma's goal was Stoke's sixth from a corner this season, more than any other Premier League side.

• Darren Fletcher made his 326th appearance in the Premier League, which is more than any other Scottish player in the competition.

• Fletcher was also playing in his 103rd consecutive match in the top flight, giving him the fifth longest run for an outfield player.

What's next?

Brighton face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday (15:00 GMT), while Stoke visit Crystal Palace at the same time.