Chelsea have been dumped out of the FA Cup after Brighton came from behind to win their fourth-round clash at the Amex Stadium. Kaoru Mitoma’s clever finish midway through the second half was enough to win an all-Premier League tie and place the Seagulls in the fifth round.
Enzo Maresca’s side had led in the first five minutes, with Bart Verbruggen somehow failing to keep hold of Cole Palmer’s cross. The ball struck the Brighton goalkeeper on the shoulder and then the head before diverting into the goal in a calamitous moment for the 22-year-old.
Brighton soon struck back through Georginio Rutter’s header before Mitoma completed the comeback. Chelsea were poor and will now need to focus on regaining their Premier League form and maintaining their Conference League push.
Here are Express Sport’s player ratings…
Robert Sanchez – 4
Seemingly demoted to Chelsea’s second-choice goalkeeper, Sanchez was too slow in coming out to close down Mitoma and was weak in his challenge on the Brighton forward. Mitoma easily lifted the ball over the onrushing shot-stopper.
Malo Gusto – 5
Brighton nullified Chelsea’s threat from their full-backs. Gusto was unable to have a major say on the game in Brighton’s half.
Tosin Adarabioyo – 5
Tosin might have done better as Mitoma bore down on goal and dinked the ball over Sanchez. The defender allowed the Japan international too much space.
Trevoh Chalobah – 5
Chalobah allowed Georginio Rutter to run free and score Brighton’s equaliser. The centre-back had an otherwise okay game.
Marc Cucurella – 5
Cucurella seemed slightly too engrossed in the occasion against his former club. The Spaniard got himself involved in a couple of unnecessary scraps.
Moises Caicedo – 6
This was a combative display by Caicedo, who was also playing against his old side. The stand-in captain kept possession ticking over, although did collect a yellow card for a rash second-half challenge.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 4
Dewsbury-Hall is a level below his Chelsea colleagues. The former Leicester midfielder was booked for a rash tackle in the first half and was taken off before the hour with his side trailing 2-1.
Pedro Neto – 7
Neto had the better of former Chelsea full-back Tariq Lamptey all evening. The Portuguese star was Chelsea’s most dangerous threat in attack.
Cole Palmer – 6
Palmer forced a bizarre own goal by Verbruggen, with his half-volley spilled into the net by the Brighton goalkeeper. The hosts otherwise kept the England international relatively quiet.
Jadon Sancho – 6
Sancho improved in the second half and created a number of chances. Enzo Fernandez should have hit the target after being found by the England winger on the edge of the penalty area.
Christopher Nkunku – 5
Maresca might have hoped for a bit more from Nkunku, who is yet to replicate his Conference League form in domestic action. The Frenchman is Chelsea’s only fit centre-forward and the Blues will need a major improvement on this performance in the weeks to come.
Substitutes
Enzo Fernandez – 5
Fernandez should have hit the target from Sancho’s cut-back.
Noni Madueke – 6
Madueke came on as Maresca switched his wingers in the hope of finding a late goal.
Tyrique George – 6
An exciting England U19 winger, George was unable to drag Chelsea back into the game.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk