Chelsea suffered an early exit from the FA Cup, bowing out in the fourth round following a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
The Blues initially took the lead in comical fashion, with Cole Palmer playing a key role in forcing an own goal from Brighton’s goalkeeper, Bart Verbruggen. However, their advantage was short-lived, as the hosts equalized just eight minutes later.
Kaoru Mitoma then put Brighton ahead in the second half, and from that point on, Chelsea struggled to pose any real attacking threat. Enzo Maresca will have been frustrated by his team’s lack of creativity in front of goal, particularly in the absence of the injured Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu.
The Chelsea Chronicle provided player ratings for the match, reflecting a largely underwhelming performance from the team.
### **Chelsea Player Ratings vs Brighton – FA Cup Fourth Round**
**Robert Sanchez – 6/10**
The goalkeeper could do little to prevent either of Brighton’s goals but was once again unconvincing with his distribution. Many fans believe Filip Jorgensen should be given a chance as the team’s first-choice goalkeeper.
**Malo Gusto – 4/10**
Gusto struggled to contain Brighton’s attacking threats, including Mitoma and Tariq Lamptey. Chelsea clearly missed the presence of Reece James at right-back, and his absence remains a concern.
**Tosin Adarabioyo – 6/10**
The defender appeared comfortable in the first half but found himself under pressure more frequently in the second. He did not cover himself in glory when Brighton scored their second goal.
**Trevoh Chalobah – 6/10**
Chalobah was composed on the ball and delivered accurate passes throughout the match. Despite Chelsea’s defensive struggles, he had a relatively solid individual performance, showing his importance to the squad for the remainder of the season.
**Marc Cucurella – 6/10**
The former Brighton player was subjected to a hostile reception from the home crowd but defended well, particularly against the dangerous Yankuba Minteh.
**Moises Caicedo – 7/10**
Caicedo demonstrated his composure against Brighton’s aggressive press, consistently retaining possession under pressure. He delivered an excellent long pass to Christopher Nkunku, which should have resulted in an assist.
**Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 6/10**
Dewsbury-Hall found good positions in midfield, especially when Palmer dropped deeper. However, it remains uncertain whether he did enough to convince Maresca that he should be a key option moving forward.
**Pedro Neto – 6/10**
Neto showed plenty of energy and determination on the right wing, engaging in an intense battle with Lamptey. He created an early opportunity through his pace alone, making it surprising that he was substituted given his attacking promise.
**Cole Palmer – 6/10**
Palmer played a part in Chelsea’s goal, but he was far from his usual high standards. Both he and Nkunku often drifted into similar deep positions, which hindered Chelsea’s attacking fluidity.
**Jadon Sancho – 5/10**
Sancho was largely ineffective on the left wing, offering little attacking threat. His struggles are becoming a recurring issue, which will be concerning for Maresca.
**Christopher Nkunku – 5/10**
Given the opportunity to lead Chelsea’s attack, Nkunku failed to make a strong case for himself. He squandered a golden chance in the first half by choosing to pass to Palmer instead of taking a shot with his left foot.
### **Substitutes**
**Enzo Fernandez – 6/10**
Fernandez injected some energy into Chelsea’s midfield after Brighton’s second goal. He had a decent opportunity to score but sent his shot off target.
**Tyrique George – 5/10**
George was unable to make a meaningful impact after coming on, with his most notable moment being a shot that sailed well over the bar.
**Noni Madueke – 5/10**
Madueke replaced Neto but was far less effective, making Lamptey’s defensive duties significantly easier. The competition for Chelsea’s right-wing position appears to be favoring Neto at the moment.
Overall, Chelsea’s lack of attacking edge and defensive frailties contributed to their elimination from the FA Cup. Maresca will need to find solutions quickly if they are to improve in the upcoming fixtures.
