Brighton secured a tough 2-1 battle over Chelsea in a fascinating FA Cup meeting at Amex Stadium.
Kaoru Mitoma’s second winner ensured that the Fabian Hurzeler side went on to go the next round, while Chelsea stayed to overcome opportunities.
Visitors started in the perfect start in the fifth minute. Jadon Sancho, alive in the first exchanges, gave a ball across the area that found Cole Palmer, who hit a volleyball for the first time.
Although it seemed to be intended as a cross, Brighton’s goalkeeper, Barbrogen, did so incorrectly, tightened it completely, unintentionally helping the ball in his own net.
Despite failure, Brighton replied. Their equalizer reached the 12th minute after an excellent passage of the game under the left.
Tariq Lampey and Joel Veltman combined, with the latter beating on a perfect cross for Georginio Rutter, who climbed between two Chelsea defenders and led his header in the far corner beyond Robert Sanchez.
With the game ready at 1-1, both teams enjoyed spells of domination, but fought to turn the promising attacks into clear chances.
FT: What a win in the fa cup! 🙌
(2-1) 📲 #Bhache // #Bhafc 🔵⚪* pic.twitter.com/aohbj3wehl
– Brighton & Hove Albion (@OficialBHAFC) 8 February 2025
Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca was without basic attack options and showed, as the blues did not have the last third.
Sancho and Pedro Neto were bright in their possession, but unable to draw Brighton’s well -organized defense.
The second semester continued in very the same spirit, with Brighton gradually confirming. Chelsea’s peak lack was highlighted in the 73rd minute, when Palmer tightened a volleyball in the box, sending the hard ball.
Moments later, Brighton introduced Joao Pedro, who immediately made an impact, winning a penalty shootout that fell away despite the obvious contact from Malo Gusto.
Then, in the 57th minute, the decisive moment arrived. Rutter was at the center of the movement, turning smartly to the middle section before finding Mitoma on the left.
The Japanese wing, always a threat, timed to run perfectly to stay inside and gently lit the ball over the onrushing sanchez to put Brighton forward. Amex broke out as the home side took control.
Chelsea pressed for a late equalizer, with Noni Madueke looking dangerous after leaving the bench. At the time of the interruption, he went up to the defenders and gave a ball teasing throughout the goal, just for Jan Paul Van Hecken to make a last -hand clearance, preventing a particular fountain. This summarized Chelsea’s night – plenty of intent but without finished product.
A final speculative effort by Diego Gomez surpassed before the referee broke the full -time whistle.
