Brighton & Hove Albion secured a 2-1 victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup fourth round, overcoming an early own goal. Georginio Rutter and Kaoru Mitoma scored for Brighton, while Chelsea struggled to regain control despite several chances. The win propels Brighton into the fifth round, while Chelsea's hopes for domestic silverware diminish.
Brighton & Hove Albion delivered a stunning comeback against Chelsea, winning 2-1 in the FA Cup fourth round. Despite an early own goal by Brighton's Bart Verbruggen, the home team rallied with goals from Georginio Rutter and Kaoru Mitoma. This victory advances Brighton to the next round, while Chelsea's quest for domestic silverware faces a setback.
The match began with Chelsea taking an early lead due to an unfortunate own goal by Brighton's goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. Cole Palmer's cross was mishandled by Verbruggen, gifting Chelsea a fifth-minute advantage. However, Brighton quickly responded with Georginio Rutter's equalizer seven minutes later, heading home a cross from Joël Veltman. This set the stage for a fiercely contested battle at the American Express Community Stadium, where Brighton showcased their fighting spirit and determination to overturn their initial setback [1] [2].
In the second half, Brighton continued to press and found their winning goal through Kaoru Mitoma. The Japanese winger capitalized on a defensive lapse by Chelsea, skillfully flicking the ball over goalkeeper Robert Sánchez in the 57th minute. This goal not only secured Brighton's victory but also highlighted Mitoma's composure and technical prowess. Chelsea, despite making several substitutions and creating opportunities, failed to break through Brighton's resilient defense, marking an end to their FA Cup campaign at the fourth-round stage [1] [4].
Chelsea's defeat at Brighton highlights ongoing challenges under manager Enzo Maresca. Despite a promising start and a rotated squad, Chelsea failed to capitalize on their early lead and struggled to maintain control throughout the match. This loss extends Chelsea's winless streak away from home since December, leaving the UEFA Conference League as their only realistic chance for silverware this season. The Blues' inability to convert opportunities into goals proved costly, as Brighton's disciplined defense thwarted their attempts to equalize [1] [3].
Brighton's 2-1 victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup fourth round is a testament to their resilience and ability to recover from setbacks. This win propels Brighton into the fifth round and provides a much-needed morale boost after their recent league struggles. Meanwhile, Chelsea faces a critical juncture, as they must address their inconsistencies and improve their performance to salvage their season. The match underscores the unpredictable nature of the FA Cup, where teams from all divisions compete for glory.
""It's good that everyone rallied around and showed their fighting spirit."" - Tariq Lamptey