Brighton 2-1 Chelsea Player Ratings: Mitoma and Rutter’s goal sinks lackluster Chelsea side

Brighton & Hove Albion hosted Chelsea at the American Express Stadium in the Emirates FA Cup Round 4 game on Saturday, February 8 and the visitors started the first half in dominating fashion. The Blues created pressure on Brighton’s defensive line and a few minutes into the game, Chelsea caught Brighton’s side sleeping with a lightning-fast corner kick. Jordan Sancho worked the ball deep into the opposition half before threading a lovely lofted pass to Cole Palmer who caught Verbruggen off the goal line leading to an on-goal.

The home side didn’t let on-goal slow them down, they persisted and Georginio Rutter scored an impressive header after cutting inside two Chelsea defenders and placing his well-timed header into the left side of the goal. Joel Veltmen earned an assist for a beautiful goal which left Robert Sanchez and Chelsea stunned. Chelsea wasted a few decent chances to take the lead. On the other hand, Lamptey and Rutter made a few decent solo runs but were unable to make the most out of it. The score at the halftime whistle stands 1-1.

The Blues started the second half with passing around and working up the field, while Brighton’s side was more focused on counter-attacking. Pedro Neto and Jordan Sancho made a few good exchanges of passes but were eventually denied by the opposition’s defense. “GOAALLLLLLLLL” Mitoma scored an unbelievably close clip shot over rushing Sanchez after receiving a beautifully lofted pass from Rutter. Kaoru Mitoma from starting the attack on the left side to finishing an ever-impressive goal.

Chelsea looked terrible and vulnerable during counter-attacks from Brighton’s side, Enzo Fernandez and Noni Madueke did provide fresh legs but couldn’t make any impact for their team. Brighton came from 1-0 down to win 2-1 thanks to Rutter and Mitoma’s strike.

Let’s take a look at Brighton vs Chelsea Player Ratings.

Brighton Player Ratings vs Chelsea

Goalkeeper

Bart Verbruggen (5/10)

The young Dutch shot-stopper made an early bunder in the early minutes of the contest but started to look more confident as the game went by.

Defenders

Joel Veltman (7.4/10)

Workhorse for his team, after going one down, came up with an incredible assist in the first half. Didn’t have a good second half, only managed to make 2 passes into the final third and lacked accuracy for long thorough balls as well.

Jan Paul van Hecke (7.2/10)

The most impressive defender of the night was the Dutchman, Jan Paul van Hecke who was rock solid at the back for his team and made more than 6 clearances, 2 interceptions, 2 aerial duels, and 3 recoveries.

Lewis Dunk (6.5/10)

The 33-year-old defender had a good game and did well to keep Palmer and Nkunku silent most of the time. He made 1 tackle, 1 headed clearance, and 2 crucial recoveries for his team. Subbed off in the 46th minute of the game.

Tariq Lamptey (8/10)

Ran back and forth for his team, Lamptey had the most tackles in the game with 6 to his name showing his defensive abilities. Won 12 duels, made 4 clearances, 5 recoveries, and made 4/ accurate long balls.

Midfielders

Carlos Baleba (6.5/10)

The Cameroon defensive midfielder had a mixed game, had more than 40 touches, 30 passes completed, and 2/2 long ball accuracy. But looked trouble while defending, lost 5 ground duels, a few times got dribbled past easily, and got dispossessed once.

Georginio Rutter (8.3/10)

The young French attacking midfielder scored an impressive header in the early half to level the scoring. A few minutes later, earned a rather rash yellow card for vehemently protesting. Rounded off his night with a great assist to Mitoma’s goal before making way for Joao Pedro.

Jack Hinshelwood (7/10)

The 19-year-old defensive midfielder had a terrific outing against Chelsea, completing 42 passes out of 43 attempts with an impressive 98% accuracy. Had more than 49 touches, made 8 recoveries, 1 shot blocked, 1 clearance, and 1 interception.

Forwards

Danny Welbeck (7/10)

The Veteran Englishman had a quiet night in front of the game as he only managed to shoot once. He failed to have any impact on his team in the final third.

Kaoru Mitoma (7.9/10)

The young sensation from Japan, Kaoru Mitoma had a great game. He made a few good solo runs in the opposition half and bagged one impressive goal to his name.

Yankuba Minteh (7/10)

The young Gambian winger had a decent game, and showed his defensive skills with 4 successful ground duels, 6 clearances, 1 interception, and 4 recoveries.

Substitutes

Adam Webster (6.5/10)

Diego Gomez (7/10)

Yasin Ayari (6/10)

Joao Pedro (6.4/10)

Matthew O’Riley (N/A)

Manager

Fabian Hurzeler (7.5/10)

Fabian Hurzeler will be pleased with how his team played and performed today. His selection and formation to go with 4-14-1 worked well for him. His timely and precise substitutions ensured three crucial points.

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Chelsea Player Ratings vs Brighton

Goalkeeper

Robert Sanchez (5.5/10)

The Spanish shot-stopper had a terrible game today and conceded twice to make things worse for him and his team.

Defenders

Malo Gusto (5.5/10)

The Frenchman lost the most duels in the game, 10. He had a decent passing accuracy of 86% completing 49 out of 86 passes. He made 2 clearances and 4 recoveries.

Marc Cucurella (6.4/10)

The Spanish left-back had a decent game and ran tirelessly for his team. He made 6 passes into the final third, and won two tackles, 1 clearance, 1 interception, and 4 ground duels to sum up his performance.

Tosin Adarabioyo (6.4/10)

Tosin was solid in defence, making nine clearances and one interception.

Trevoh Chalobah (6.3/10)

Chalobah had a good game completing 66 passes with 91% accuracy. Clumsy for Georginio Rutter’s equalizer strike and needs a few more games to settle down.

Midfielders

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (6/10)

Englishman was replaced in the second half after a poor show in the middle for the Blues. Did completed 24 passes out of 28 with an accuracy of 86% but failed to make an impact in the middle for his team and had to make way for Enzo Fernandez.

Cole Palmer (6.5/10)

The Blues attacking midfielder, Cole Palmer had a tough game against the Seagulls, with a poor passing accuracy of 78% considering his talent and skillset. One shot on target out of three. He got dispossessed once and managed to make 6 passes into the final third.

Moises Caicedo (7/10)

Moises Caicedo completed the most passes in the match, 79 with an accuracy of 93%. He was booked for an ugly and rash tackle on Lamptey.

Forwards

Christopher Nkunku (6.4/10)

Nkunku created chances for his teammates in the first half but disappeared in the second half. He had almost zero presence or impact in the second half as he failed to have a shot on target.

Jordan Sancho (6.1/10)

Jordan Sancho created the most chances in the game, 3. He threaded a lovely lofted pass to Cole Palmer for the opening goal. Couldn’t make any impact later as he was marked quite tightly by Veltman.

Pedro Neto (5.9/10)

The Portuguese winger had a decent outing for the Blues. He took a knock in the first half yet continued for his team. He failed to breach Brighton’s defensive and Lamptey kept him in check throughout the game. Subbed off in the 74th minute.

Substitutes

Enzo Fernandez (6.5/10)

Argentine midfielder came onto the field to replace Dewsbury-Hall in the second half. Looked sharp made a few good passes and had a go at the goal.

Noni Madueke (5.6/10)

Tyrique George (5.6/10)

Manager

Enzo Maresca (6/10)

Maresca’s plan to experiment with Christopher Nkunku as no. 9 failed miserably. Even the changes were able to create an impact on the field. Enzo Maresca had a bad day at the sideline, his team’s performance left him baffled.

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