Kaoru Mitoma fired Brighton & Hove Albion into the FA Cup fifth round with a brilliant winner in a 2-1 comeback victory over Chelsea on Saturday.
Chelsea took an early lead after Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen fumbled Cole Palmer’s cross into his own net just five minutes in.
However, the hosts responded quickly, with Georginio Rutter leveling the score seven minutes later with a well-placed header.
Brighton dominated the second half, and Mitoma sealed the victory in the 57th minute with a clever flick over Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez.
There was some debate over a possible handball in the build-up, but the goal stood, ending Chelsea’s cup hopes.
Defeat extends Chelsea’s winless away run since early December, leaving the UEFA Conference League as their only realistic shot at silverware.
Meanwhile, Brighton bounced back impressively from their 7-0 humiliation against Nottingham Forest, showing resilience under manager Fabian Hürzeler.
“We showed our fighting spirit and turned it around,” said Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey.
With momentum back on their side, the Seagulls march on in the FA Cup, while Chelsea’s struggles continue.
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