Brighton defeated Chelsea 2-1 in the FA Cup, overcoming an early own goal with strikes from Rutter and Mitoma. Chelsea’s struggles continue under Maresca.
Brighton & Hove Albion secured a 2-1 comeback victory against Premier League rivals Chelsea in the FA Cup fourth round. The match saw Brighton recover from an early error to dominate and advance in the competition.
Match Summary
The game began with a significant blunder from Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, who gifted Chelsea the lead in the fifth minute. Verbruggen mishandled a cross from Cole Palmer, deflecting it into his own net. However, Brighton responded quickly, with Georginio Rutter equalizing just seven minutes later, heading in a cross from Joel Veltman.
Brighton maintained pressure and were rewarded in the second half when Kaoru Mitoma scored with a flicked finish over Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez in the 57th minute.
Key Moments
- Chelsea’s Early Lead: Cole Palmer’s cross was mishandled by Verbruggen, resulting in an own goal and an early advantage for Chelsea.
- Brighton’s Equalizer: Georginio Rutter’s header from a Veltman cross brought Brighton level.
- Mitoma’s Winning Goal: Kaoru Mitoma’s skillful finish secured Brighton’s victory.
Post-Match Reactions
Brighton’s victory was a significant turnaround after their recent 7-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest. Tariq Lamptey emphasized the team’s fighting spirit and unity. “It’s good that everyone rallied around and showed their fighting spirit,” Lamptey said. “We showed that we are together and we turned it around.”
Chelsea’s defeat extends their winless away streak in all competitions since early December. With their chances of silverware diminishing, the UEFA Conference League remains their most realistic opportunity for a trophy in Enzo Maresca’s first season.
Regarding Nkunku’s future, Maresca stated, “Against West Ham he played half an hour and hopefully from now on he can more minutes. I was with the club altogether, we were sure before the window that Christo was one of the players who are intention was to keep him.”
Match Details
- Competition: FA Cup Fourth Round
- Teams: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Chelsea
- Score: Brighton 2 – 1 Chelsea
- Date: Saturday (Implied)
Sources: https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/brighton-chelsea-tv-channel-time-b2694053.html
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea-fc-xi-vs-brighton-starting-lineup-confirmed-team-news-injury-latest-fa-cup-2025-today-b1209768.html
https://www.espn.co.uk/football/report/_/gameId/730046