Blues was expelled from the FA Cup thanks to Mitoma’s winner

Brighton secured a fierce 2-1 fight against Chelsea with a charming FA Cup encounter at Amex Stadium.

The second half winner of Kaoru Mitoma ensured that Fabian Hurzeler’s team would advance to the next round, leaving Chelsea missing the opportunity.

Visitors got off to a perfect start to five minutes. Vibrant in the early exchanges, Jadon Sancho delivered the ball throughout the area where he spotted Cole Palmer, who had hit his first volley.

It seemed intended as a cross, but Brighton goalkeeper Bert Welbruggen misunderstood it completely and accidentally helped the ball into his own net.

Despite the retreat, Brighton replied. Their equalizer arrived in the 12th minute after passing an excellent play on the left.

Tariq Lamptey and Joel Veltman were combined, the latter whipped on Georginio Rutter’s perfect cross, rising between two Chelsea defenders, leading the header to a far-off corner over Robert Sanchez.

Both teams enjoyed the dominance spell as the game was fine and calm 1-1, but they struggled to turn a promising attack into a clear opportunity.

FT: What a victory in the FA Cup! 🙌

(2-1)📲 #bhache // #bhafc 🔵⚪🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/aohbj3wehl

– Brighton & Hove Albion (@officialbhafc) February 8, 2025

Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca had no important attack options. That was shown as the Blues had no effect in the last third.

Sancho and Pedro Neto had bright ownership, but were unable to carve Open Brighton’s well-organized defenses.

The second half continued with roughly the same vein, and Brighton gradually insisted on himself. Chelsea’s state-of-the-art lack was highlighted in the 73rd minute when Palmer accidentally mistakenly volleyed inside the box and spread the ball harmlessly.

After a while, Brighton introduced Joan Pedro. Joa Pedro was an immediate influence, earning a penalty appeal that was obtained despite obvious contact from Malo Gusto.

Then, the decisive moment arrived in the 57th minute. The rutter was once again at the center of movement, spinning wisely in the middle before finding Mitoma on the left.

The Japanese winger has always been a threat, running his run perfectly at the right time, delicately lifting the ball over an on-rushing Sanchez and placing Brighton first. The Amex exploded as the home side controlled it.

Chelsea pushed the equalizer late. Noni Madueke looks dangerous after leaving the bench. At stop time, he spiked past defenders and delivered teasing balls all over the goal. Jean Paul Van Hecke made the final groove clearance to prevent certain tap-in. It summed up the Chelsea night – there was no final product, with many intentions.

The final speculative effort from Diego Gomez sailed heavily before the judges blew a full-time whi.