Pre-Season Friendly Roundup: Timo Werner Scores in Chelsea Draw, Spurs Edge to Victory & More

It's that time of the week again... pre-season friendlies time! The games that mean so little, but no supporter can prevent themselves from reading into every single, tiny detail of each match.

Plenty of teams are allowing viewers to stream their club's exhibition matches this season, which is causing more anxiety than ever before for worried fans, watching their match-fitness starved stars labour to draws against teams three divisions their inferior.

So, before we begin - a caveat. These games are only friendlies, and you shouldn't worry too much about the outcome of these little run outs. Stay calm everyone, title heartbreak or relegation won't happen to your club. Maybe. Probably. Ok, let's panic.

With those soothing words in mind, let's take a look back at all seven matches which included our Premier League clubs on an action packed Saturday afternoon.

We start at the Amex Stadium, where socially distanced supporters were allowed into the ground to watch Chelsea and Brighton play out a hard-fought 1-1 draw. The Blues fielded new signings Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner from the off, and it took Werner only four minutes to open his account in England, tapping home from close range to break the deadlock.

Frank Lampard's men looked to have sealed a confidence-boosting win until the final minutes, when Brighton were awarded a late penalty, and Pascal Gross dispatched the spot-kick to give the few home supporters something to cheer.

Elsewhere, Crystal Palace enjoyed a comfortable afternoon against League One outfit Charlton Athletic, running out 3-0 winners at Selhurst Park. Eagles striker Jordan Ayew continued his impressive form from last season, bagging just after the hour-mark, and doubling the lead five minutes later.

Want-away talisman Wilfried Zaha rounded off the scoring in the dying minutes in sensational style, giving Roy Hodgson's men three goals, a clean sheet and plenty of positivity ahead of the coming season.

Up on Tyneside, Newcastle United overcame Championship outfit Barnsley, beating the Tykes 2-1 in a tight match. Andy Carroll picked up from where he left off against Crewe Alexandra, by rounding off a nice move and tucking away Matt Ritchie's ball into his path.

The visitors drew level ten minutes after the break through Marcel Ritzmaier, but a Jacob Murphy spot-kick handed Steve Bruce's side the win.

Premier League new-boys West Bromwich Albion endured a difficult afternoon in the East Midlands, losing 1-0 to Championship side Nottingham Forest. The Tricky Trees took the lead on 25 minutes through new signing Lyle Taylor, who converted from close range, and it proved enough to sink the Baggies to a disappointing defeat.

Tottenham Hotspur picked up a 1-0 victory over Birmingham City, but José Mourinho's men were made to work for it by the stubborn Blues. The game appeared to be heading for a scoreless draw until Steven Bergwijn popped up in the 89th minute to snatch the victory, with a stunning low finish from the edge of the box.

Fellow London side West Ham United also claimed a win on Saturday, beating promotion chasers Brentford by two goals to one. Andriy Yarmolenko got the goals flowing after only five minutes, latching onto a through ball and sliding the ball home on his right foot.

Marcus Forss equalised just after the half-hour mark for the Bees, but Tomas Soucek was on hand to tap the ball home following some wonderful play by Michail Antonio.

Finally, Champions League hopefuls Leicester City played out the afternoon's only goalless game, drawing 0-0 with Sheffield Wednesday in a drab affair.

Results:

Brighton 1-1 Chelsea

Crystal Palace 3-0 Charlton Athletic

Newcastle United 2-1 Barnsley

Nottingham Forest 1-0 West Brom

Sheffield Wednesday 0-0 Leicester City

Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Birmingham City

West Ham United 2-1 Brentford