Blues banished from FA Cup because of Mitoma winner

Brighton secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Chelsea in an enthralling FA Cup encounter on the Amex Stadium.

Kaoru Mitoma’s second-half winner ensured Fabian Hurzeler’s aspect progressed to the subsequent spherical, whereas Chelsea have been left to rue missed alternatives.

The guests acquired off to the right begin within the fifth minute. Jadon Sancho, full of life within the early exchanges, delivered a ball throughout the world that discovered Cole Palmer, who struck a first-time volley.

Whereas it appeared supposed as a cross, Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen misjudged it fully, inadvertently serving to the ball into his personal web.

Regardless of the setback, Brighton responded. Their equaliser arrived within the twelfth minute after a wonderful passage of play down the left.

Tariq Lamptey and Joel Veltman mixed, with the latter whipping in an ideal cross for Georginio Rutter, who rose between two Chelsea defenders and expertly guided his header into the far nook previous Robert Sanchez.

With the sport finely poised at 1-1, each groups loved spells of dominance however struggled to transform promising assaults into clear-cut probabilities.

FT: WHAT A WIN IN THE FA CUP! 🙌

[2-1] 📲 #BHACHE // #BHAFC 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/aOhbJ3wEhL

— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) February 8, 2025

Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca was with out key attacking choices, and it confirmed, because the Blues lacked efficiency within the ultimate third.

Sancho and Pedro Neto have been shiny in possession however unable to carve open Brighton’s well-organised defence.

The second half continued in a lot the identical vein, with Brighton step by step asserting themselves. Chelsea’s lack of innovative was highlighted within the 73rd minute when Palmer miscued a volley contained in the field, sending the ball harmlessly broad.

Moments later, Brighton launched Joao Pedro, who instantly made an impression, profitable a penalty attraction that was waved away regardless of obvious contact from Malo Gusto.

Then, within the 57th minute, the decisive second arrived. Rutter was on the coronary heart of the transfer once more, spinning well in midfield earlier than discovering Mitoma on the left.

The Japanese winger, all the time a risk, timed his run completely to remain onside and delicately lifted the ball over the onrushing Sanchez to place Brighton forward. The Amex erupted as the house aspect took management.

Chelsea pressed for an equaliser late on, with Noni Madueke wanting harmful after coming off the bench. In stoppage time, he surged previous defenders and delivered a teasing ball throughout purpose, just for Jan Paul van Hecke to make a last-ditch clearance, stopping a sure tap-in. That summed up Chelsea’s evening – loads of intent however no finish product.

A ultimate speculative effort from Diego Gomez sailed broad earlier than the referee blew the full-time whistle.