Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma sent Chelsea tumbling out of the FA Cup, securing a 2-1 victory in the fourth round. Meanwhile, Kevin De Bruyne rescued Manchester City in their 2-1 win at third-tier Leyton Orient on Saturday.
Chelsea’s domestic trophy drought, stretching back to their FA Cup triumph in 2018, will continue for another season after they squandered an early lead at the Amex Stadium.
Enzo Maresca’s side struck first in the fifth minute when Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen fumbled Cole Palmer’s cross into his own net. However, Chelsea failed to capitalise on their advantage.
Following a humiliating 7-0 thrashing at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League last weekend, Brighton responded impressively.
The Seagulls equalised in the 12th minute when Joel Veltman’s cross found Georginio Rutter, who nodded past Chelsea’s defence and into the far corner.
Mitoma completed Brighton’s comeback in the 57th minute with a deft finish past Chelsea keeper Robert Sánchez, despite protests from the visitors for handball.
At Brisbane Road, Manchester City suffered an early shock as Jamie Donley’s long-range strike rebounded off the bar and deflected in off City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.
The Premier League champions levelled in the 56th minute when Uzbekistan defender Abdukodir Khusanov inadvertently turned in Rico Lewis’s shot, marking his first goal since joining from Lens in January.
City boss Pep Guardiola was forced to call upon his bench ahead of a crucial Champions League tie against Real Madrid. Kevin De Bruyne’s introduction proved decisive as the Belgian netted 11 minutes from time.
“It was a typical FA Cup match, which is why this competition is incredible,” Guardiola remarked. “The fans created a fantastic atmosphere, and we knew they would be strong.”
City’s victory came at a cost, with new signing Nico González limping off just 22 minutes into his debut following a £50 million move from Porto.
Southampton Stunned
Newcastle battled back to secure a 3-2 victory against Birmingham at St Andrew’s.
Birmingham took the lead after just 42 seconds through Ethan Laird’s deflected strike. However, quickfire goals from Joe Willock and Callum Wilson turned the match in Newcastle’s favour. Tomoki Iwata’s thunderous effort levelled before half-time, but Willock struck again in the 82nd minute to seal the win.
Southampton’s miserable season continued as they fell 1-0 to Burnley at St Mary’s. Marcus Edwards, on loan from Sporting Lisbon, netted the winner in the 77th minute on his debut.
Burnley have now kept 10 clean sheets in their last 11 matches, with nearly 600 minutes passing since they last conceded.
In the final FA Cup tie at Goodison Park before Everton’s move to a new stadium, Bournemouth secured a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Antoine Semenyo and Dan Jebbison.
Rodrigo Muniz struck twice as Fulham edged past League One Wigan 2-1.
Ipswich, struggling near the bottom of the Premier League, stormed to a 4-1 victory over Frank Lampard’s Coventry.
George Hirst’s second-minute penalty was cancelled out by Joel Latibeaudiere’s eighth-minute equaliser, but Jack Clarke restored Ipswich’s lead in the 28th minute before doubling his tally nine minutes later. Jaden Philogene sealed the win in the 63rd minute.
Millwall reached the FA Cup fifth round for the first time since 2018-19, with Femi Azeez’s brace securing a 2-0 win at Championship leaders Leeds.