Georginio Rutter and Kaoru Mitoma's goals were enough for Brighton to beat Chelsea 2-1 in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup, securing the Seagulls' first home win since November.
Bart Verbruggen was at fault for Chelsea's goal, as he failed to collect Cole Palmer's first-time cross, with the ball hitting off him and going into the goal.
Rutter levelled for the Seagulls minutes later with a well-placed header from a pinpoint Joel Veltman cross.
In the second half, Mitoma latched on the end of a Rutter through ball and did brilliantly to not only get to the ball before former Seagulls goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, but to clip the ball past the 'keeper into the back of the net.
The Blues struggled to create many big chances, with Enzo Fernandez having two good chances after he was substituted on and Palmer always looking like a danger but being powerless to get his team back into the game.
Brighton will go into the hat for the Fifth Round of the FA Cup, with Chelsea facing a disappointing early exit.
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Story of the Match
The first chance of the game had come from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who fired his shot from a tight angle into the side netting.
A few minutes later, Palmer received the ball on the edge of the box but was prevented by Verbruggen, who tipped the ball over the goal.
From the resulting corner, Palmer volleyed a cross in from a long cross-field ball which looked like it would comfortably be collected by Verbruggen, but the Dutch 'keeper failed to hold onto it and it bounced off him for an embarrassing own goal.
After the goal, the game became quieter as Brighton got themselves more into the game, but neither team could break each other down.
Despite the lack of action, there were three yellow cards in the first 30 minutes, with Veltman receiving a notable booking as he took down former Brighton star Marc Cucurella.
Pedro Neto had an injury scare in the first half, but after receiving some treatment the former Wolves winger was able to carry on.
The hosts also had an injury scare, with skipper Lewis Dunk also having to come off, but he was able to come straight back on.
Rutter was a real threat to the Chelsea defence, charging down the left-hand side but there were no Brighton players in the box to connect with the French attacker's cross.
At the start of the second half, Dunk was subbed off for Adam Webster, being unable to continue with the injury he picked up in the first half.
Jack Hinshelwood got a painful shot from Neto straight into the chest but was fine to carry on, having made a decent block beforehand.
The hosts threatened on the counter-attack, and Mitoma took advantage of this when he was played through down the left-hand side, but his cross could not find the onrushing Yankuba Minteh.
The Japanese winger then minutes later put the Seagulls ahead.
Chelsea failed to clear the ball, and it fell to Rutter who played through Mitoma, who poked it past the onrushing Robert Sanchez to put Brighton ahead for the first time in the game.
Danny Welbeck had the chance to put Brighton even further ahead, but the former Arsenal and Manchester United striker could not direct his header on target from a corner.
Chelsea started to push for an equaliser, and had a great chance through substitute Fernandez but his shot with his weak foot was not hit well and went high over the bar.
Former Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo was then booked for a reckless foul on Tariq Lamptey on the edge of his area.
From the free kick, Chelsea dealt with it and had the chance to go onto the counter, but Palmer failed to pass the ball through the remaining Brighton defenders back from the set piece, letting Brighton off.
With 20 minutes left, Mitoma hit a well-hit volley on the edge of the box which was deflected, but Sanchez did well to follow the ball and claim it comfortably.
The Blues had a good chance to equalise, but Palmer could not quite get on the end of Cucurella's through ball and the ball went harmlessly wide.
Blues youngster Tyrique George had a chance to equalise, but his effort failed to challenge Verbruggen.
With only minutes left, Fernandez came close again with a long shot which was well-saved by Verbruggen, who had a solid game after his first-half error.
That was Chelsea's last chance to get back into the game, as the Seagulls got a big win for their fans who have suffered in recent times, but can now look forward for the Fifth Round of the FA Cup and the dreams of a famous cup run which could end in silverware for the Sussex club.
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Player of the Match - Tariq Lamptey
A special mention to Rutter, who grabbed the first goal and an assist for the second and looked a real threat going forward throughout the game, but you cannot look past Lamptey.
Despite almost being sold to Ajax this January for a small fee, the Ghanaian full-back proved that he is good enough for Brighton with a dominant performance.
He won 11 of his 13 ground duels and made nine tackles, which was particularly impressive while playing at left-back - not his natural position.
He kept Neto and Noni Madueke quiet down that side, and proved to his coach Fabian Hurzeler that he needs to be a regular in the starting XI.




