Brighton & Hove Albion triumphed over Newcastle United, securing a 2-1 victory after extra time to advance to the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time in two seasons. This thrilling encounter showcased the tenacity and skill of both teams, with Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma playing a significant role throughout the match.
The match kicked off at St. James' Park, Newcastle's iconic stadium, where Brighton entered with high hopes against their formidable opponents. Early on, Newcastle established control, opening the scoring with Alexander Isak converting from the penalty spot at the 22-minute mark. This goal instantly shifted the momentum as fans roared, giving Newcastle the advantage.
Brighton, undeterred by the early setback, began to find their rhythm. Mitoma, positioned as the left midfielder in at 4-2-3-1 formation, demonstrated exceptional pace and ball control, almost crafting scoring opportunities. Just ten minutes after conceding, Newcastle nearly doubled their lead with another goal from Isak, which was disallowed for offside—a narrow escape for Brighton.
Determined to level the score, Brighton continued to press forward, and their persistence paid off. Joao Pedro's precise through ball found fellow midfielder Minte, who netted the equalizer with just moments left in the second half. This goal ignited the Brighton bench and fans, relishing their team's comeback as the match reached tension-laden moments.
With the match level, the second half saw both teams trading chances. Mitoma had his moment to shine again, attempting to convert from the right with desperate intensity. Unfortunately, he misaligned his shot, sending it wide, which elicited gasps from the travelling Brighton supporters.
The game took another dramatic turn when Newcastle's forward Gordon received his marching orders after a rough challenge, leaving the home side at ten men. This presented Brighton with the opportunity to capitalize on their numerical advantage, yet both sides struggled to find decisive openings as the defensive strategies intensified.
Late in regulation, Brighton faced another adversity as Mitoma began to tire, opting to substitute himself off after suffering cramps. His exit left the team gambling on maintaining pressure without their quick-footed dynamo.
Equal players remained for the final minutes when Brighton's defender Lamptey was also shown red for his second yellow card, returning the match to ten versus ten and amplifying the strain on both squads as they headed to extra time.
During the additional thirty minutes, both teams exhibited their tactical prowess. Brighton's goalkeeper Ferbruggen was instrumental, making key saves to deny Newcastle’s advances, maintaining the scoreline level as the tension and pace quickened.
The turning point came late in the second half of extra time when Brighton's substitute Welbeck found success—capitalizing on another brilliant assist from March, securing the winning goal. Welbeck's precise placement put Brighton 2-1 up, sending the fans and bench alike to their feet.
Despite attempts from Newcastle to respond, including several narrow misses, Brighton stood strong, defending resolutely until the final whistle blew, confirming their progression to the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Brighton’s success is rooted not just in their scoring prowess but also their defensive resilience and the combined efforts of their talented squad, including Mitoma's significant contributions to the day's victory.
With this win, Brighton continues to demonstrate their capability to compete at the highest levels amid fierce matches, signaling strong prospects for their upcoming fixtures. They will now look forward to both the quarter-final and the challenges awaiting them as they stronger contend this season.