New Delhi: Brighton hosted Chelsea at the American Express Stadium for their FA Cup clash in the fourth round. Chelsea took an early lead in the game when Cole Palmer’s cross from the left was fumbled by Bart Verbruggen. However, the lead was cancelled after Joel Veltman’s cross was headed by Georginio Rutter.
The Seagulls took the lead in the 57th minute when Rutter’s pass was perfectly latched on to by Kaoru Mitoma. Chelsea though protested the goal as the ball had struck Tariq Lamptey’s arms during the build-up but since there was no VAR, it wasn’t disallowed. In their first hour, those were the only shots that Brighton had taken.
FT: WHAT A WIN IN THE FA CUP! 🙌
[2-1] 📲 #BHACHE // #BHAFC 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/aOhbJ3wEhL
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) February 8, 2025
Chelsea are now five games across the competition without an away win and despite Enzo Maresca playing a strong side, never looked like they were in the game once the second goal was scored. On previous occasions, Chelsea had altered 11 players in the squad for FA Cup games, but on this occasion, they had kept quite a few of their first-team preferences despite six changes. Chelsea had seven shots and one was on target in the entire duration.
Brighton had only one change after Nottingham beat the Seagulls 7-0 last weekend. While they are currently tenth in the Premier League, this win would give a lot of confidence to Albion, beating a side that was nine points ahead of them in the Premier League and winning their first home game since the start of November when they beat Manchester City.
For Chelsea, at this point, a realistic silverware would be the UEFA Conference League though they would be keen on getting back to the Champions League, while Brighton would hope for consistency. In less than a week from now, Chelsea will meet Brighton again for a game in the Premier League.
VAR takes centre stage again
The controversial second goal may have stolen the show from Brighton a little. Carlos Balebab played a shot to Yankuba Minteh on the right. Rutter then came to make a good improvisation following Lamptey’s shot was blocked. While there’s little doubt that Mitoma scored an amazing goal, now VAR show has been controversial in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
FA had stated in December that VAR would be available only from the fifth round and they justified the decision saying that it would give “consistent refereeing” to every club at the same round in the competition. Since the FA Cup is played by sides who are not required to have VAR, means that there is a requirement of equipment and cameras for it to function properly. Earlier only Wembley Stadium where FA Cup finals and semi-finals were played, had the VAR system.
Brighton and Hove Albion proceed to fifth round of FA Cup after beating Chelsea at the American Express Stadium, as the Seagulls win at home for the first time since start of November. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
