Brighton & Hove Albion secured their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup with a thrilling 2-1 victory over rivals Chelsea at the Amex Stadium. Japanese winger Kaoru Mitoma proved to be the hero for the Seagulls. Scoring the decisive goal in the second half vs Chelsea to seal the win.
A Nightmare Start
The match began disastrously for Brighton. In the fifth minute, goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen fumbled a seemingly harmless cross from Chelsea’s Cole Palmer into his own net, gifting the visitors an early lead. The home crowd was stunned, but their disappointment would be short-lived after Kaoru Mitoma’s goal.
Rutter to the Rescue
Brighton responded swiftly to the early setback. Just seven minutes later, Georginio Rutter leveled the score with a well-placed header. Joel Veltman delivered a pinpoint cross from the right flank. Finding Rutter who expertly guided the ball past Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Mitoma’s Moment of Brilliance
Despite a strong showing from Chelsea in the first half, including a missed opportunity by Palmer to restore their lead, Brighton emerged as the dominant force after the break. Their persistence paid off in the 57th minute when Mitoma showcased his exceptional talent. The Japanese winger received the ball inside the box and, with a deft touch, lifted it over Sanchez to secure the winning goal, which will be remembered as the pivotal Kaoru Mitoma goal against Chelsea.
Controversy and Comeback
Brighton’s winning goal was not without controversy. Replays suggested a potential handball in the build-up, but the referee allowed the goal to stand. This victory was particularly significant for Brighton, who were looking to bounce back from a heavy 7-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in their previous match.
Contrasting Fortunes
For Chelsea, this defeat extends their winless streak away from home in all competitions. Their hopes of silverware this season now rest solely on the UEFA Conference League. Brighton, on the other hand, will be buoyed by this impressive comeback victory. Despite some inconsistent performances in the league this season, they demonstrated resilience and determination to overcome a challenging start with the memorable Kaoru Mitoma goal vs Chelsea.
Lamptey’s Praise
Brighton winger Tariq Lamptey praised his team’s fighting spirit after the match. “It’s good that everyone rallied around and showed their fighting spirit,” he said. “We showed that we are together and we turned it around.” This victory will undoubtedly provide a confidence boost for Brighton as they continue their FA Cup journey and look to climb the Premier League table. The Kaoru Mitoma goal against Chelsea will surely be remembered by fans.
