Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Chelsea: Georginio Rutter and Kaoru Mitoma goals put hosts through in FA Cup

Brighton staged a comeback in the FA Cup fifth round, defeating Chelsea to advance. The match was full of drama, with Brighton displaying strong resilience and attacking firepower. This victory underscores their determination to compete at the highest level.

Early in the game, Chelsea took the lead with a fortunate goal from Cole Palmer. Palmer delivered a volleyed cross from the left, and Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen inadvertently pushed the ball into his own net. However, Brighton was not discouraged and quickly organized a counterattack. This early setback only fueled their determination to fight back.

Subsequently, Brighton's Georginio Rutter headed in a cross from Joel Veltman to equalize. Immediately after, Rutter assisted Kaoru Mitoma, who skillfully chipped the ball over Robert Sanchez, helping Brighton take the lead. It is reported that Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr had offered £54 million for Mitoma before the transfer deadline, but it was rejected. Mitoma's contribution proved decisive in securing the victory.

Chelsea believed that Mitoma's goal should have been disallowed because the ball hit Tariq Lamptey's arm during the attack. However, since there was no Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the FA Cup fourth round, this controversy could not be further reviewed. Notably, these two goals were Brighton's only two shots on target in the first 60 minutes. The lack of VAR added to the frustration of the Chelsea team.

Enzo Maresca's team fielded a strong lineup but had few chances to equalize. Enzo Fernandez's shot went over the bar, and the team has now failed to win in five consecutive away games. The two teams will face each other again on Friday (20:00 GMT) at Brighton's Amex Stadium for a Premier League match. Currently, Chelsea is 9 points ahead of Brighton in the standings, ranking 6 places higher. The upcoming match promises to be another intense encounter.

Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler made only one change to the starting lineup from the previous game (a 0-7 defeat to Nottingham Forest). After two consecutive losses, Brighton is currently ranked 10th in the league. This victory is significant for them and may bring new momentum to the season. Brighton has never won any major trophies in its history, with the 1983 FA Cup final (losing to Manchester United in a replay) being their closest to a title. This win offers a glimmer of hope for future success.

Rutter's equalizing goal came after former Seagulls goalkeeper Robert Sanchez barely dealt with a cross, and he headed the ball into the top corner. Sanchez, Marc Cucurella, and Moises Caicedo – especially the former two – were booed by fans upon returning to their old club. VAR will not be used until the FA Cup fifth round, which may be a relief for Brighton. After Lamptey's shot was blocked, the ball hit his arm, but Mitoma's clever touch bypassed Sanchez, ultimately deciding the outcome of the match, which was beyond doubt. The atmosphere was electric, adding to the intensity of the game.

Chelsea has fielded very different lineups in most cup games this season – because they have a large squad of expensive, talented players. Many times, they will change all 11 players. But here, Maresca changed his approach, making six changes but retaining several first-team players. Among them, top scorer Cole Palmer started, his first game in any cup competition this season. When Jaden Sancho passed the ball to Palmer on the left, it looked like a good decision, and Palmer sent a volleyed ball into the six-yard area. Verbruggen should have been able to handle it easily but somehow punched the ball into his own net. This unexpected turn of events set the tone for the match.

Chelsea only managed 7 shots all night, with 1 on target. Two of those came before the fifth-minute goal – Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall hit the side netting, and Palmer’s 20-yard shot was saved. Now their focus is on the Premier League – where they are currently fourth – and the UEFA Europa Conference League. Their priority is to return to the Champions League, but Europe’s third-tier competition gives them their only chance to win their first major trophy since the FIFA Club World Cup in February 2022. Securing a trophy would be a significant achievement for the team.