Brighton vs Chelsea LIVE: FA Cup result and reaction as Mitoma brilliantly seals Seagulls win
Brighton 2-1 Chelsea: The Seagulls got back to winning ways in style to edge Chelsea out of the FA Cup
Brighton have bounced back from ignominy at Nottingham Forest in style as they came from behind to defeat Chelsea in all Premier League FA Cup fourth round clash.
It was a nightmare for the hosts as Bart Verbruggen produced a howler to gift Chelsea the lead, parrying Cole Palmer’s bouncing delivery into his own side-netting on five minutes.
However, Brighton responded superbly to falling behind, with Georginio Rutter latching on to a fantastic Joel Veltman cross to equalise just seven minutes later.
They continued to be the better team for much of the contest and got their reward after the break, with Kaoru Mitoma brilliantly flicking over Robert Sanchez to complete Brighton’s turnaround.
Relive all the action from the FA Cup with our live blog below:
GOAL! Brighton 1-1 Chelsea
12 mins: GOAL! Just the response Brighton needed!
Veltman whips in a delightful ball and Rutter can simply head past Sanchez to draw parity for the Seagulls.
GOAL! Brighton 0-1 Chelsea
5 mins: GOAL! That is a HOWLER from Bart Verbruggen!
Palmer receives the ball on the left and tries to catch the keeper out by volleying a first-time effort towards goal.
He does exactly that as Verbruggen parries the admittedly tame bouncing delivery into his own side-netting.
Brighton 0-0 Chelsea
4 mins: First attempt on goal goes Chelsea’s way as Cole Palmer stings the palms of Verbruggen after a nice switch of play.
Corner to the Blues.
Brighton 0-0 Chelsea
3 mins: There’s a hostile reception for Chelsea’s ex-Brighton contingent.
Caicedo, Sanchez and most evidently Cucurella are getting an earful at the Amex.
Here come the teams
Both sets of players have made their way out to an electric Amex Stadium.
Kick-off is imminent.
Closing in on kick-off
Just under 10 minutes until we get underway here at the Amex.
Both teams have something to prove, with Chelsea eager to continue on their journey towards a potential first piece of silverware for Enzo Maresca.
Brighton will meanwhile be desperate to get back to winning ways after being on the end of a brutal defeat to Nottingham Forest last week. Victory over the Blues could be the perfect confidence boost Fabian Hurzeler’s team needs.
Stay tuned for all the action.
Brighton desperate to bounce back after recent embarrassment
Brighton have been on the rise in recent years, with their European jaunts and savvy recruitment putting them among the big hitters in the Premier League.
However, last Saturday was a dark day in their history. Shipping seven at high-flying Nottingham Forest, Fabian Hurzeler’s side faced the ignominy that comes with an absolute trouncing, their heaviest league defeat for 67 years.
Tonight poses an opportunity for the Seagulls to regain a foothold in their season and not let recent struggles snowball. They’re the underdogs going into tonight, but what better competition for an underdog than the FA Cup.
Chelsea reveal Conference League squad update that signifies growing strain on selection
Ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup action, Chelsea revealed that Cole Palmer had been added to their Conference League squad.
The 22-year-old was not picked for the league phase of the European competition in an effort to manage his minutes following the Euros.
However, with Enzo Maresca’s options up top growing limited, he has had to resort to bringing Palmer back into the continental fold.
Cole Palmer named in Chelsea’s Conference League squad despite missing group stage
Brighton vs Chelsea: Confirmed lineups
Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Lamptey, Dunk, Van Hecke, Veltman, Hinshelwood, Mitoma, Baleba, Rutter, Minteh, Welbeck.
Subs: Webster, Gruda, Pedro, Adingra, Cashin, Gomez, Ayari, O'Riley, McGill.
Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Gusto, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Cucurella, Caicedo, Dewsbury-Hall, Neto, Palmer, Sancho, Nkunku.
Subs: Jorgensen, Colwill, Anselmino, Acheampong, Samuels-Smith, Amougou, Fernandez, George, Madueke.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments