Kaoru Mitoma scored a stunning opening goal as Brighton further dented Chelsea’s hopes of securing a top-four Premier League spot with their second victory over the Blues in just a week.

Having already eliminated Enzo Maresca's side from the FA Cup last Saturday, the Seagulls climbed to eighth in the league table with this win, now just four points behind fifth-placed Manchester City.

City, Newcastle, and Bournemouth—all with a game in hand—could overtake Chelsea if they secure victories on Saturday.

Japan international Mitoma put Brighton ahead in style, expertly controlling a long pass from goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen before cutting inside Trevoh Chalobah and curling a precise low shot past Filip Jorgensen into the right corner of the net.

From that point on the result rarely looked in doubt as Brighton deservedly recorded their first home league win since 9 November.

Yankuba Minteh added their second before the break with a low close-range effort after some excellent work from the impressive attacking duo of Danny Welbeck and Georginio Rutter.

While Chelsea controlled possession for long periods, they struggled to fashion many clear-cut opportunities against Fabian Hurzeler's side aside from an early Cole Palmer effort that flashed wide and an Enzo Fernandez header that was disallowed for a push on home defender Joel Veltman.

Gambia forward Minteh rounded off the scoring for Brighton just after the hour mark, with Chelsea, who looked shaky in defence all evening, exposed down their left as the winger drove a low effort past Jorgensen at his near post.

Source: BBC 

BDST: 1058 HRS, FEB 15, 2025
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