8 FEBRUARY 2025
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 2 CHELSEA 1
EMIRATES FA CUP, FOURTH ROUND
at the AMERICAN EXPRESS STADIUM, FALMER.
FA Cup football returned to the Amex as the Albion entertained Chelsea in the Fourth Round of the Emirates FA Cup, the match being covered "live" by ITV4 and being broadcast by Talksport and BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
In their previous game, the Albion had sustained a record 0-7 drubbing at Nottingham Forest in the Premier on the 1 February and for the visit of Chelsea, Head Coach Fabian Hurzeler was looking for a massive improvement from his Albion squad. The Seagulls made one change to their starting line-up from the Forest game, with the fit-again Carlos Baleba coming in for Joao Pedro, the latter dropping down to the substitutes bench.
Last time out, Chelsea had beaten West Ham United 2-1 in the Premier on the 3 February and for their visit to the Amex, Head Coach Enzo Maresca made six changes to his starting line-up from the West Ham game, with Robert Sanchez, Malo Gusto, Trevor Chalobah, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Pedro Neto and Christopher Nkunku replacing Filip Jorgensen, Reece James, Levi Colwill, Enzo Fernandez, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson.
There were three former Albion players in Chelsea's starting line-up, namely Robert Sanchez, Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo. Former Albion loanee Levi Colwill was on the Blues substitutes bench.
Chelsea started brightly and early on Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall fired a shot into the side-netting and then Cole Palmer saw his shot saved by Albion keeper Bart Verbruggen. The visitors took the lead on 5 minutes with a gift of a goal from the Albion. Palmer's first-time volley from the left was heading harmlessly towards the Brighton goal but Verbruggen made a complete hash of collecting the ball and inadvertently palmed the ball into his own net for an embarassing own goal. 0-1.
To their credit the Albion fought back immediately, well almost, when on 12 minutes Joel Veltman's superb cross was headed home by Georginio Rutter for an excellent equaliser. 1-1.
Both teams created a chance a-piece prior to the break, as Palmer's header landed on top of the Albion net and Marc Cucurella cleared Rutter's effort. All to play for second-half.
Half-time 1-1.
Adam Webster replaced the injured Lewis Dunk at half-time. Early on both teams strived for the lead but both defences were generally on top. However, on 57 minutes the Albion did take the lead when a move started by Mitoma and processed by Tariq Lamptey and Rutter ended with Japanese international Mitoma guiding the ball past Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez with the outside of his right foot for another excellent goal. Chelsea complained that there had been a handball in the build-up to the goal but VAR was not in operation at this stage of the competition. 2-1.
Danny Welbeck went close to increasing Albion's lead but his effort from a corner just cleared the crossbar. Chelsea sought to find an equaliser but Albion's defence held firm, restricting efforts to substitutes Enzo Fernandez and Tyrique George which flew wide and finally a shot by Palmer which Verbruggen saved comfortably. In the end the Seagulls made it through to Round Five where they will travel to meet Newcastle United away in early March.
Final-score 2-1.
Match stats:
Albion had 6 attempts at goal, with 3 on target and won 4 corners, free-kicks conceded - 8.
Chelsea had 7 attempts at goal, with 1 on target and won 3 corners, free-kicks conceded - 3.
TO SUM UP - A fine bounce-back win by the Albion after the Forest result. Carlos Baleba made a difference returning to his midfield role and the team had a much more solid look about it. Albion's reward is an away trip to Newcastle in Round Five in early March. Chelsea are back at the Amex in the Premier on the 14 February, "live" in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Bart VERBRUGGEN; Joel VELTMAN, Jan Paul VAN HECKE, Lewis DUNK (Capt) (Adam WEBSTER 46), Tariq LAMPTEY; Carlos BALEBA (Yasin AYARI 75), Jack HINSHELWOOD (Diego GOMEZ 68); Yankuba MINTEH, Georginio RUTTER (Joao PEDRO 75), Kaoru MITOMA; Danny WELBECK (Matt O'RILEY 89).
Subs not used: Tom McGILL (G/K), Eiran CASHIN, Brajan GRUDA, Simon ADINGRA.
Chelsea line-up (4-2-3-1):- Robert SANCHEZ; Malo GUSTO, Tosin ADARABIOYO, Trevor CHALOBAH, Marc CUCURELLA; Moises CAICEDO (Capt), Kiernan DEWSBURY-HALL (Enzo FERNANDEZ 58); Pedro NETO (Noni MADUEKE 74), Cole PALMER, Jadon SANCHO (Tyrique GEORGE 74); Christopher NKUNKU.
Subs not used: Filip JORGENSEN (G/K), Levi COLWILL, Joshua ACHEAMPONG, Mathis AMOUGOU, Aaron ANSELMINO, Ishe SAMUELS-SMITH.
Referee: Jarred Gillett (Queensland, Australia). Fourth Official: Stephen Martin.
Yellow Cards: Albion: 2 - Joel Veltman, Georginio Rutter. Chelsea: 2 - Moises Caicedo, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Possession: Albion - 43%. Chelsea - 57%.