Brighton vs Chelsea FA Cup: Brighton stun Chelsea in FA Cup with a 2-1 comeback victory, knocking the Blues out and advancing to the fifth round after a resilient performance.
In an electrifying FA Cup fourth-round clash, Brighton stun Chelsea in FA Cup with a remarkable 2-1 comeback victory, eliminating the Blues from the competition. Despite Chelsea taking an early lead at the Amex Stadium, Brighton fought back with resilience and quality to book their place in the fifth round.
🚨🏴 FULL-TIME: | Brighton 2-1 Chelsea
— Match Spoots (@matchspoots) February 8, 2025
⚽️ Verbruggen (OG)
⚽️ G. Rutter
⚽️ K. Mitoma#BHACHE #FACup pic.twitter.com/L6mRKb93xd
Chelsea Take an Early Lead
Chelsea wasted no time asserting their dominance, scoring within the first five minutes. Cole Palmer whipped in a dangerous cross that Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen failed to handle, resulting in an unfortunate own goal. With an early advantage, the Blues looked confident and in control of the match.
Brighton Respond with an Equalizer
Refusing to be disheartened, Brighton quickly regrouped and found an equalizer just seven minutes later. Defender Joël Veltman delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, where Georginio Rutter rose high to direct a powerful header past Chelsea’s goalkeeper Robert Sánchez. The Amex erupted as Brighton restored parity and gained momentum.
Mitoma’s Brilliant Winner
The Seagulls continued their attacking pressure in the second half, searching for a decisive goal. Their persistence paid off in the 57th minute when Kaoru Mitoma showcased his brilliance. Receiving a well-timed pass from Rutter, Mitoma displayed superb control before delicately chipping the ball over Sánchez to give Brighton a 2-1 lead.
Chelsea’s Offensive Struggles
Despite making tactical substitutions to inject fresh energy, Chelsea struggled to break down Brighton’s disciplined defense. The Blues lacked sharpness in the final third, failing to convert possession into clear-cut chances. Brighton’s backline remained compact, frustrating Chelsea’s attacking players and ensuring their lead remained intact.
A Redemption Victory for Brighton
For Brighton, this win was crucial, especially following their disappointing 7-0 loss to Nottingham Forest in their previous match. Manager Fabian Hürzeler emphasized resilience, and his team delivered a spirited performance, ending their winless home run and advancing to the next FA Cup round.
Brighton vs Chelsea: What’s Next for Both Teams?
This defeat adds to Chelsea’s ongoing struggles, particularly in away matches. Manager Enzo Maresca faces mounting pressure to address the team’s defensive lapses and attacking inefficiency as they turn their attention back to the league.
On the other hand, Brighton will aim to build on this morale-boosting victory. With renewed confidence, they will focus on progressing further in the FA Cup and improving their league standing.
Brighton stun Chelsea in FA Cup, but for the Blues, the journey in this competition ends in disappointment. Meanwhile, the Seagulls soar into the next round, proving their resilience and ambition.
