Chelsea have lost another opportunity of winning a silverware this season as they lost their fourth round FA Cup encounter to Brighton 2-1.
The Blues opened scoring in the 5th minute when Bart Verbruggen in goal for Brighton fumbled Cole Palmer’s cross into his own net. Chelsea’s lead lasted for only seven minutes as Georginio Rutter headed in Joel Veltman’s cross.
Three minutes to the hour mark, Rutter turned provider as Kaoru Mitoma dinked the ball over Robert Sanchez to give Brighton the lead and eventually the day.
Chelsea felt the goal should be disallowed as the ball struck Tariq Lamptey’s arm in the build-up, since there were no VAR at this round of the competition, Brighton’s goal stood.
Both clubs will meet again on Friday in the Premier League.
In other matches, Manchester City survived a huge FA Cup fourth-round scare as they came from behind to eliminate League One side, Leyton Orient.
Leyton Orient’s Jamie Donley gave his side the lead in the 16th minute when his 50-yard shot hit the bar and sailed into the net after hitting City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.
City restored parity in the second half when Rico Lewis’ shot deflected in off new signing Abdoukodir Khusanov. The last season’s finalists pressed on and eventually took the lead 12 minutes from time through Kevin de Bruyne’s close range finish.
Bournemouth eliminated Everton 2-0 as Ipswich hammered Coventry 4-1.
Other teams that are through to the fifth round are Millwall, Preston North End, Burnley, Cardiff City, Fulham and Newcastle United.
