Brighton emerged victorious with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Chelsea in an exciting FA Cup clash at the Amex Stadium. Kaoru Mitoma’s second-half goal secured the victory for Fabian Hurzeler’s side, as Chelsea missed several opportunities throughout the match.
The game started off with an own goal from Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen in the fifth minute, after Cole Palmer’s volley found its way into the net. However, Brighton quickly responded with an equalizer from Georginio Rutter in the 12th minute, following a well-executed play down the left flank.
Both teams had their moments of dominance but struggled to convert their chances into goals. Chelsea’s attacking options were limited, and despite efforts from Jadon Sancho and Pedro Neto, they failed to break through Brighton’s defense.
In the second half, Brighton took control of the game, with Mitoma scoring the winning goal in the 57th minute. Chelsea pushed for an equalizer, but their efforts were thwarted by Brighton’s solid defense, with Jan Paul van Hecke making a crucial clearance in stoppage time.
The match ended with a 2-1 victory for Brighton, leaving Chelsea to reflect on a night of missed opportunities and lack of cutting edge in front of goal. The Amex Stadium celebrated as the home team advanced to the next round of the FA Cup.