Brighton vs Chelsea as it happened: Kaoru Mitoma helps hosts advance in FA Cup as Blues are dumped out

Evening Standard

·8 février 2025

Brighton vs Chelsea as it happened: Kaoru Mitoma helps hosts advance in FA Cup as Blues are dumped out

Huge FA Cup fourth round tie at the Amex Stadium

Vidéos OneFootball

Chelsea suffered defeat in the all-Premier League showdown against Brighton and crashed out of the FA Cup in the process. As a result, the Blues’ wait to lift the trophy for the first time since 2018 goes on.

Enzo Maresca's side took the lead in the fourth round tie as early as the fifth minute when Bart Verbruggen somehow bundled a tame Cole Palmer cross into his own net. However, the Seagulls - who were thumped 7-0 by Nottingham Forest last time out - did not fold and were level seven minutes later thanks to a brilliant header from Georginio Rutter.

Rutter turned provider for Brighton’s winner as Kauro Mitoma produced a clever finish in the second half to knock Chelsea out and spark jubilant scenes from the home supporters inside the Amex Stadium after the final whistle.

The two teams meet again in the Premier League next week but Brighton will now await their opponents in the fifth round when the draw is made on Monday evening as Chelsea now focus on a top-four finish and success in the Conference League. Read the game back below with our dedicated match blog.