Kaoru Mitoma sealed Brighton & Hove Albion’s 2-1 comeback home victory over Premier League rivals Chelsea to send the south-coast club into the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday.
Brighton & Hove Albion secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday, overturning an early deficit to book their place in the next stage. Japanese winger Kaoru Mitoma was the hero of the night, scoring the decisive goal with a sublime finish past his former teammate Robert Sanchez.
Chelsea Strike First After Goalkeeping Blunder
Chelsea started the match brightly and took an early lead just five minutes in, thanks to a costly mistake from Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. The Dutch shot-stopper misjudged a curling cross from Cole Palmer, fumbling the ball into his own net to gift the visitors the opening goal.
Despite their poor form away from home, Chelsea looked confident in the early exchanges, pressing high and maintaining control of possession. The Blues sought to capitalize on their early advantage, but Brighton quickly regrouped and responded in emphatic fashion.
Brighton Respond Quickly Through Rutter
The hosts wasted little time in finding an equalizer, pulling level just seven minutes later. Right-back Joel Veltman swung in a pinpoint cross that bypassed Chelsea’s defense and found Georginio Rutter, who guided a brilliant glancing header past Sanchez to make it 1-1.
The equalizer sparked Brighton into life, with manager Fabian Hurzeler’s side growing in confidence. The 31-year-old tactician, who has been working to instill resilience and attacking intent in his squad, saw his team dominate possession as the first half progressed. Encouraged by their home supporters, Brighton surged forward in search of the go-ahead goal.
Mitoma’s Moment of Brilliance
After halftime, Brighton continued to assert their dominance. Their attacking approach stretched Chelsea’s defense, and it wasn’t long before their persistence was rewarded. In the 57th minute, Kaoru Mitoma showcased his class with a moment of brilliance.
Pouncing on a loose ball inside the penalty area, the Japanese winger executed a delicate flick over Sanchez, putting Brighton ahead. Chelsea’s defense protested, arguing that there had been a handball in the build-up, but the referee dismissed their claims, and a quick VAR review upheld the goal. The home fans erupted in celebration as Brighton took control of the match.
Chelsea’s Struggles on the Road Continue
The defeat marked another frustrating night for Chelsea, extending their miserable run away from home. The Blues have now failed to win an away fixture in any competition since early December, highlighting their ongoing struggles under new manager Enzo Maresca.
Despite boasting a squad filled with top-tier talent, Chelsea once again failed to find a way back into the game. Cole Palmer remained their most threatening player, but his efforts were met with strong resistance from Brighton’s disciplined backline. As the final whistle blew, Maresca’s team was left to reflect on another disappointing cup exit.
Brighton Show Their Resilience
For Brighton, this victory was the perfect response to their humiliating 7-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League just a week prior. The Seagulls displayed grit and determination, proving their ability to bounce back from adversity.
“It’s good that everyone rallied around and showed their fighting spirit,” Brighton defender Tariq Lamptey said after the match. “We showed that we are together and we turned it around.”
Under Hurzeler’s leadership, Brighton has had an inconsistent season, but performances like this highlight their potential. The win boosts morale within the squad and keeps their FA Cup dreams alive, as they now prepare for the next round of the competition.
What Lies Ahead for Brighton and Chelsea?
For Brighton, this victory serves as a stepping stone to greater ambitions. With Mitoma and Rutter in fine form, they will be eager to continue their FA Cup journey while also pushing for better performances in the Premier League. If they can build on this momentum, a deep cup run is certainly within reach.
As for Chelsea, this loss piles more pressure on Enzo Maresca, who faces mounting scrutiny in his first season in charge. The FA Cup was one of the few domestic trophies still available to the club, and now their only realistic shot at silverware lies in the UEFA Conference League. With inconsistency plaguing their campaign, Chelsea fans are growing increasingly frustrated with the team’s lack of progress.
Maresca must now shift his focus to stabilizing Chelsea’s league form and ensuring a strong finish in the Premier League. If results don’t improve soon, questions about his long-term future at Stamford Bridge will only intensify.
With Brighton celebrating a well-earned victory and Chelsea licking their wounds, the FA Cup continues to provide unexpected twists and turns. For now, Brighton march on, while Chelsea must pick up the pieces and find a way to regain their footing in what has been a challenging season.
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