Brighton came from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 in the FA Cup fourth round. Kaoru Mitoma’s brilliant second-half goal sealed the victory for the Seagulls, sending them to the next stage of the competition.
A Nightmare Start for Brighton
Chelsea started strongly and took the lead in just five minutes. Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen had a disastrous moment when he misjudged Cole Palmer’s cross, fumbling it into his own net. The early lead gave Chelsea confidence, but Brighton refused to back down.
The Seagulls responded just seven minutes later. Georginio Rutter made a powerful run into the box and met Joel Veltman’s cross with a perfect header.
His effort flew past Chelsea’s goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, leveling the score at 1-1. The game was back on, and Brighton had momentum.
Missed Chances for Chelsea
Chelsea had an opportunity to regain the lead before halftime. Christopher Nkunku found himself in a great position but decided to pass to Palmer instead of taking the shot.
Palmer’s header went over the bar, leaving Chelsea fans frustrated. Their lack of clinical finishing was beginning to show.
Meanwhile, Brighton kept pushing forward. They looked confident and determined to complete their comeback. The first half ended with both teams locked at 1-1.
Mitoma’s Magic Seals the Win
Brighton started the second half with more energy. Their patience paid off when Rutter set up Kaoru Mitoma with a clever pass.
Mitoma showed his class with a composed finish over the diving Sanchez. The goal sent Brighton fans into celebrations, as they took the lead for the first time in the match.
Chelsea tried to respond but lacked sharpness in attack. Their only shot on target came in the fourth minute of the match.
Despite their efforts, they could not break Brighton’s defense. The Blues were eliminated from the FA Cup, continuing their poor run since Christmas.
Chelsea’s Struggles Continue
This defeat was another painful reminder of Chelsea’s struggles. Since Boxing Day, they have taken the lead in five matches but failed to win any of them. The same problems resurfaced against Brighton: defensive lapses and a lack of attacking quality.
Nkunku had a quiet game, struggling to make an impact. With Nicolas Jackson out injured, Chelsea lacked a natural goalscorer. Their inability to finish chances cost them dearly again.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca admitted his team must learn to win tight games. “We need to learn how to win 1-0,” he said after the match. He also insisted that Chelsea must now focus on the English Premier League and Conference League after their FA Cup exit.
Brighton Bounce Back in Style
For Brighton, this victory was the perfect response to their 7-0 humiliation against Nottingham Forest last week. Manager Fabian Hurzeler praised his players for their reaction. “I told them how proud I was. They bounced back in the best way possible,” he said.
Brighton played with confidence and discipline, proving they can compete against top teams. Their reward is a place in the FA Cup fifth round, where they will hope to continue their journey.
What’s Next?
Chelsea will have a chance for revenge when they face Brighton again on February 14. But with their current form, they need to improve quickly. Brighton, on the other hand, will take confidence from this win as they prepare for their next challenge.
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