Fans were back at The People's Pension Stadium and they witnessed a confident performance from the Seagulls against a title-chasing Chelsea outfit whose unbeaten run now extends to 29 games.
A solitary Sam Kerr effort was all that separated the sides and Albion can be pleased with the endeavour they showed in a performance that saw Inessa Kaagman rattle the crossbar shortly after the break.
Hope Powell made five changes to the side that lost 3-1 at Tottenham the previous week, most notably Ellie Brazil, who was making her first start in over a year following the ACL injury sustained at the Amex against Birmingham City.
Cecilie Fiskerstrand also replaced Megan Walsh in goal but despite the changes, Albion settled quickly, and displayed some crisp passing moves.
Maya Le Tissier had the game's opening chance on seven minutes, only to shoot wide of Ann-Katrin Berger's upright, while at the other end an Erin Cuthbert effort was held by Fiskerstrand having deflected up onto the crossbar.
Chelsea started to get a foothold in the game and they broke the deadlock on 21 minutes when Kerr stooped to head Pernille Harder's byline cross past Fiskerstrand.
Albion were then forced to sit deep as the Blues maintained the lion's share of possession but when they did break, they did so with purpose.
Chances remained as a premium, however, while Harder and So-yun Ji had efforts from distance for the visitors.
Powell would have been happy to see her side go in at the break with just the single-goal deficit, and the second half started on the front foot with Kaagman hitting the crossbar from the edge of the box with Berger beaten.
Chelsea responded when Fran Kirby set up Kerr inside the box, but Fiskerstrand was quick off her line to block, just as the assistant referee flagged for offside.
The Albion keeper also did well to parry an effort from Cuthbert and she completed a trio of saves when Kerr tried an audacious effort from the halfway line.
Albion continued to search for the equaliser and a driving run and cross into the box by Lee was met by Aileen Whelan, but the forward failed to get a good connection on the ball.
Denise O'Sullivan was an increasingly creative force in midfield and while sub Dani Bowman had a late half-chance, Chelsea’s rearguard stood firm.
Albion: Fiskerstrand, Gibbons, Le Tissier, Whelan, Lee (Bowman 76), Kaagman, Heroum (Simpkins 66), O’Sullivan, Stott (Kerkdijk 45), Brazil, Williams.
Subs not used: Walsh, Green, Barton, Jarrett, Bance.