In a match that was expected to be tight but also filled with goals, things played out just as anticipated. Brighton managed to defeat the Blues and move past their recent 7-0 loss to Nottingham Forest. The final score of the match was 2-1.Having learned from previous encounters between Chelsea and Brighton, we could already anticipate what to expect from this match. That became evident as early as the second minute when the hosts registered the first shot—Dewsbury-Hall struck from about 20 meters out, but the ball went wide of the goal.It didn’t take long for the visitors to respond. Chelsea executed a well-crafted move on Brighton’s side of the pitch, combining neatly before Cole Palmer took a shot, but Verbruggen reacted brilliantly, saving the ball just below the crossbar.However, just a minute later, the home goalkeeper undid his previous heroics. After an innocuous play and a poor cross from Palmer on the left, Brighton’s goalkeeper made a disastrous mistake, practically placing the ball into his own net.Brighton score TWO in seven minutes as Bart Verbruggen’s own goal gets canceled by Georginio Rutter 😅 pic.twitter.com/IZEGXsofnf— OneFootball (@OneFootball) February 8, 2025 The home team didn’t hesitate and immediately pushed forward for an equalizer. They found it just seven minutes later when Rutter scored a fine header following an excellent cross from Veltman.After that equalizer, both teams seemed to slow down. The only notable chance came when Palmer found himself in a promising position—Nkunku delivered a perfect cross onto his head, but his attempt went just over the bar.⏸️#CFC | #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/Ak365Cgu6v— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 8, 2025 The second half continued in the same fashion as the first ended—without any exciting or dangerous actions on either side. Both teams struggled to create meaningful chances.However, like a bolt from the blue, in the 57th minute, after a series of deflections, the ball fell to Brighton’s first goalscorer, Rutter, who brilliantly set up Kaoru Mitoma. The Japanese winger reacted superbly, executing a delicate lob to put his team in the lead.⚽️ GOAL: Mitoma🏴 Brighton 2-1 Chelseapic.twitter.com/LKdMC0rSNb— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) February 8, 2025 Mitoma, full of confidence, had another good attempt in the 71st minute, but his shot deflected off the opposing defenders and easily landed in Sanchez’s hands.Five minutes before the end, Chelsea had a good chance through Tyrique George, who made a solo run and took a shot, but the ball sailed over Verbruggen’s goal. Until the final whistle, the Seagulls managed to withstand the visitors’ attacks, securing their place in the next round of the FA Cup.FA CUP – ROUND 4Friday Man.Utd. – Leicester 2-1 (0-1)/Zirkzee 68, Maguire 90+3 – De Cordova-Reid 42/Saturday Leeds – Millwall 0-2 (0-1)/Azeez 30, 55/Leyton – Man. City 1-2 (1-0)/Ortega 16 og – Khusanov 56, De Bruyne 79/Coventry – Ipswich 1-4 (1-3)/Latibeaudiere 8 – Hirst 2 pen, Clarke 28, 37, Philogene 53/Everton – Bournemouth 0-2 (0-2)/Semenyo 23 pen, Jebbison 43/Preston – Wycombe 4-2 on pen (0-0)Southampton – Burnley 0-1 (0-0)/Edwards 77/Stoke – Cardiff 2-4 on pen (3-3)/Koumas 42, 47, Baker 58 pen – Colwill 8, Salech 19, 68/Wigan – Fulham 1-2 (0-1)/Smith 50 – Muniz 23, 55/Birmingham – Newcastle (2-2)/Laird 1, Iwata 40 – Willock 21, Wilson 26/Brighton – Chelsea 2-1 (1-1)/Rutter 12, Mitoma 57 – Verbruggen (og)/Sunday 15.30: (5.30) Blackburn (3.60) Wolverhampton (1.70)18.00: (19.0) Plymouth (8.50) Liverpool (1.13)20.35: (1.80) Aston Villa (3.70) Tottenham (4.40)Monday 22.45: (10.5) Doncaster (6.50) Crystal Palace (1.25)***odds are subject to change***
