Kaoru Mitoma’s second-half strike condemned Chelsea to an early FA Cup exit as Brighton secured a 2-1 victory in the fourth round, while Kevin De Bruyne came to Manchester City’s rescue in their narrow 2-1 win over League One side Leyton Orient on Saturday.
Chelsea’s long wait for domestic silverware continues, with their last triumph dating back to the FA Cup in 2018.
Enzo Maresca’s side squandered an early lead at the Amex Stadium after a calamitous error gifted them the opener.
Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen mishandled Cole Palmer’s cross, inadvertently turning the ball into his net just five minutes in.
Despite the fortunate start, Chelsea failed to capitalise, allowing Brighton to regroup and respond.
The Seagulls, humiliated 7-0 by Nottingham Forest in the Premier League last weekend, showed remarkable resilience.
They equalised in the 12th minute when Joel Veltman’s cross found Georginio Rutter, who expertly nodded the ball into the far corner between Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo.
Brighton’s comeback was completed in the 57th minute as Mitoma clipped a delicate finish past Chelsea keeper Robert Sánchez, sparking controversy with Chelsea players appealing for handball.
“The handball was quite clear. Without VAR, it’s complicated,” Maresca admitted after the match.
Reflecting on the result, he added: “In the second half, the only shots they had resulted in a goal. We created chances at 2-1, but in football, you have to accept the consequences.”
De Bruyne Saves Man City from FA Cup Upset
Meanwhile, at Brisbane Road, Manchester City were given an early scare when Jamie Donley’s long-range effort crashed off the bar and deflected in off City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, handing Leyton Orient a shock lead.
City, struggling to break down their resilient third-tier opponents, finally found a way back in the 56th minute.
Rico Lewis’s shot took a heavy deflection off Abdukodir Khusanov, who inadvertently netted his first goal since joining City from Lens in January.
With a crucial Champions League play-off first leg against Real Madrid just days away, City boss Pep Guardiola was forced to call upon his star players earlier than he had hoped. It was substitute Kevin De Bruyne who ultimately secured victory, firing home 11 minutes from time.
“It was a classic FA Cup game, which is why this competition is so special. The atmosphere was incredible, and we knew they would be a tough challenge,” Guardiola said.
However, City’s win was marred by an injury to new signing Nico González, who limped off in the first half of his debut.
Southampton’s FA Cup Woes and Newcastle’s Comeback
Elsewhere, Newcastle came from behind to secure a 3-2 victory at Birmingham’s St Andrew’s.
The hosts struck within the opening minute as Ethan Laird’s deflected shot found the net, but Joe Willock and Callum Wilson responded swiftly to put Newcastle ahead.
Birmingham hit back with a stunning strike from Tomoki Iwata before halftime, but Willock sealed Newcastle’s win in the 82nd minute, capping off a successful week for the Magpies after reaching the League Cup final.
Premier League strugglers Southampton endured further misery as they crashed out of the FA Cup with a 1-0 defeat against Burnley at St Mary’s.
Marcus Edwards, on loan from Sporting Lisbon, scored the only goal of the game in the 77th minute, continuing Burnley’s remarkable defensive record—10 clean sheets in their last 11 matches.
In the final FA Cup tie to be held at Goodison Park, Everton suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth.
Antoine Semenyo and Dan Jebbison struck to send the visitors through, as Everton prepared to leave their historic home for a new stadium next season.
Other notable results included Rodrigo Muniz’s brace in Fulham’s 2-1 victory over Wigan, Ipswich’s emphatic 4-1 triumph over Frank Lampard’s Coventry, and Millwall’s progress to the fifth round for the first time since 2019, courtesy of Femi Azeez’s double in a 2-0 win against Championship leaders Leeds.
