Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Chelsea, FA Cup: Post-Match-Reaction, Ratings

Chelsea started off well, and thanks to an absolute Howler, the lead took in almost five minutes when Brighton goalkeeper Bert Verbruggen fumbled a mis-hit cross from Cole Palmer into the back of his own net.

Unfortunately, our lead did not last very long as Georginio Rutter took advantage of some suboptimal defense to bring the hosts level in the 12th minute.

But after these two early goals, the rest of the first half was a rather muted affair where none of the sides showed much intensity or driving force to change the situation.

Brighton showed a little more life after the break and was properly rewarded for the thanks a little more silly defense, an unsolicited handball of Tariq Lamtey, and us tried to pass the ball to a teammate who had fallen on the floor. Lovely finish by mitoma though.

Chelsea tried to mount some kind of response, but we never really threatened to disturb Brighton’s comfortable evening at the back.

Carefree.

• It seems that Palmer’s goal has fallen as its own target even if the cross/shot was on target
• Just the third time in the last 28 years that we are not in the last 16 of FA CUP
• Next Up: Brighton away again, this time in the league, Friday night
• Ktbffh

Player assessments: