FA Cup: Brighton overcome Chelsea as Man City advance after scare from Leyton Orient

Brighton & Hove Albion came from a goal down to defeat Chelsea 2-1 in their FA Cup fourth round tie at the Amex Stadium on Saturday night.

The Blues were eventually taken to the cleaners by their stubborn hosts who, despite conceding the opener via own goal, roared back to defeat Chelsea and advance into the fifth round of the oldest club competition in football on the back of goals from forwards Georginio Rutter and Kaoru Mitoma.

The visitors took the lead on five minutes when Cole Palmer, England international, arrowed a shot that was spilled into the net by Bart Verbruggen, Brighton goalkeeper, gifting Chelsea a 1-0 lead.

The Seagulls however responded quickly to the setback, restoring parity six minutes later through Rutter.

The French forward ghosted in between two Chelsea defenders to plant a header into the far corner beyond Roberto Sanchez, Chelsea goalkeeper, for 1-1.

Chelsea had the better opportunities to regain the lead before the interval, with Palmer coming closest with a looping header that went wide and both sides went in level at the break.

However, it was Brighton that took the lead for the fist time on 57 minutes through Mitoma; the Japanese forward controlled a pass before deftly flicking the ball past the onrushing Sanchez for 2-1 to the hosts.

Mitoma’s goal proved the eventual winner, earning Brighton a first win in five matches against the Blues.

Defeat also means Chelsea fail to qualify for the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time in ten years.

Earlier, Manchester City scrapped past Leyton Orient, coming from a goal down to win 2-1 away from home. They went behind to a goal from 40 yards but improved to seal passage, thanks to new signing Abdoukodir Khusanovto’s leveler and Kevin de Bruyne’s winner.

Newcastle, Carabao Cup finalists, overcame Birmingham City 3-2 to also seal passage.