NEW DELHI: Kaoru Mitoma’s brilliance propelled Brighton to a 2-1 victory over Chelsea, eliminating the Blues from the FA Cup in the fourth round. Meanwhile, Kevin De Bruyne‘s late strike rescued Manchester City from an upset against third-tier club Leyton Orient, securing a 2-1 win.
Chelsea’s domestic trophy drought, which stretches back to their 2018 FA Cup triumph, will continue for another season after their lead at the Amex Stadium evaporated.
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An early own goal from Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen gifted Chelsea the advantage, but the hosts responded emphatically.
Georginio Rutter’s well-taken header levelled the score, and Mitoma’s deft finish in the 57th minute completed Brighton’s comeback, despite Chelsea’s protests over a potential handball. Enzo Maresca, Chelsea’s interim manager, lamented the lack of VAR but acknowledged the result’s consequences.
“I think the handball is quite clear. Without VAR it’s complicated,” Maresca said.
“The second half the only shots they had we conceded a goal from. We had a few chances at 2-1. But you have to take the consequence of the result.”
At Brisbane Road, Manchester City found themselves trailing after Jamie Donley’s long-range effort deflected off goalkeeper Stefan Ortega and into the net.
The champions eventually equalized through Abdukodir Khusanov’s deflected strike before De Bruyne’s late intervention secured their passage to the next round.
Pep Guardiola praised the FA Cup’s unpredictability and the atmosphere generated by the Orient faithful, although he expressed concern over the injury sustained by new signing Nico Gonzalez.
“It was a typical FA Cup game, that is why this competition is unbelievable. For the fans, how the crowd support and we knew they are strong,” said Guardiola.
Elsewhere, Newcastle overcame an early deficit to defeat Birmingham 3-2, with Joe Willock scoring a brace. Southampton’s miserable season continued as Burnley secured a 1-0 win at St Mary’s, while Everton’s final FA Cup match at Goodison Park ended in a 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth.
Fulham and Ipswich also advanced, with Rodrigo Muniz and Femi Azeez netting braces in their respective victories over Wigan and Coventry.
Millwall’s 2-0 triumph at Leeds United saw them reach the fifth round for the first time since the 2018-19 campaign.