Kaoru Mitoma’s second-half winner sent Brighton through to the FA Cup fifth round at Chelsea’s expense, with the comeback victory easing the slight pressure on Seagulls manager Fabian Hurzeler.
The Seagulls were in the firing line after their dismal 7-0 loss to Nottingham Forest last week and started this cup tie in horrific fashion – with goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen fumbling Cole Palmer’s harmless cross into his own net after five minutes.
But Chelsea have had their issues recently and one of them is letting leads slip. They were pegged back seven minutes after that early Verbruggen gift as Georginio Rutter nodded Joel Veltman’s delicious cross past former Seagulls goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Brighton took their chance after the break, as Mitoma was played in by a delicate Rutter pass – the finish even more sumptuous over the flailing Sanchez.
It was a cup tie which exposed Chelsea’s carelessness but also lack of cutting edge up top. Since Boxing Day, they have taken the lead then failed to win the game on five occasions.
