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09 February 2025

Brighton Bounces Back To Knock Out Chelsea

Kaoru Mitoma's stunning goal secures FA Cup victory after early setback for the Seagulls

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Fabian Hurzeler expressed immense pride after his team staged a remarkable comeback to eliminate Chelsea from the FA Cup with a 2-1 victory at the Amex Stadium on Saturday evening. Just five minutes in, what seemed like disaster struck for the home side when goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen fumbled Cole Palmer's harmless-looking cross, inadvertently turning it over the line for an own goal. This blunder could have deflated the Seagulls, especially after suffering a heavy 7-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest just the week before.

Instead of languishing, Brighton hit back only seven minutes later. Georginio Rutter, who had been key to the comeback, nodded home from Joel Veltman’s precise cross, equalizing and reigniting the home fans. This response was indicative of Hurzeler's message to the players: trust the process and stay positive. “I was just in the locker room and I told them I’m really proud of them, how they bounced back...” Hurzeler remarked after the match, highlighting the significance of their quick recovery.

The atmosphere electrified when Kaoru Mitoma, who had earlier been the subject of transfer interest from Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, scored the winner. Mitoma’s 57th-minute effort came after Chelsea failed to fully clear the ball following some scrappy defending. A deft lob over Robert Sanchez sealed the victory for Brighton and sent the home crowd jubilantly celebrating. Hurzeler's sentiments were echoed by Rutter, who marveled at Mitoma’s contributions: “Wow, he is a special player. It is very good to have him in the team.”

Despite having taken the lead, Chelsea struggled to convert opportunities, failing to create meaningful chances after Verbruggen’s early mishap. Coach Enzo Maresca acknowledged their misfortune, noting, “If there is something good after a defeat, it is we can be focused on the Premier League and the Conference League.” After this defeat, Chelsea's hopes of clinching domestic silverware this season have dimmed, continuing their disappointing form. 

Brighton’s defensive solidity and teamwork contrasted sharply with Chelsea's inconsistencies. The Seagulls’ win was particularly sweet for historic reasons; this fixture reestablished some pride after not registering a home victory for three months. A plethora of booing directed at former Brighton players like Robert Sanchez and Moises Caicedo only added to the intensity of the match. This defeat also reflected the endless frustrations surrounding Chelsea’s recruitment strategy, with several key players currently sidelined by injuries. These issues were amplified during the match, with Chelsea lacking the firepower necessary to maintain their early lead, forcing them to rely heavily on Cole Palmer.

Chelsea fans have become exasperated as they watched their team’s lavish spending fail to translate to immediate success, especially as they had boasted about their status as one of the title contenders this season. Their spendings continued to mount—a stark figure when one considers the fees paid for players like Sanchez, Caicedo, and Marc Cucurella collectively amounting to billions. Meanwhile, the young Blues’ inability to convert chances became all too evident as the game progressed.

The ensuing match plans suggest this rivalry is far from over, as both teams prepare to meet again soon; Chelsea will return to the Amex for their next Premier League clash on Friday. Maresca remains optimistic, indicating his squad will look to build on this setback.

The victorious Seagulls, buoyed by Mitoma's brilliance, now look forward to the FA Cup's fifth round, their spirits lifted following such a tumultuous period with the club. “This team has big potential,” Hurzeler added, marking his hopes for the squad moving forward. The reverberations of Saturday’s victory could set the tone for Brighton's next matches, serving as motivation to drive the team through the remainder of the season. The Amex faithful were reminded of their club’s resilience and the magic of the FA Cup as they celebrated their deserved success against Chelsea.