Chelsea vs Brighton: All you need to know

According to Chelseafc.com Club historian Rick Glanvill and club statistician Paul Dutton focus on the two clubs' first FA Cup clash in fifty-two years as they prepare for consecutive journeys to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Football games have a way of becoming teams too comfortable with one another, and Chelsea and Brighton will be caught in a cup and league embrace at the Amex Stadium for the next two weekends.

The Blues and Seagulls are now in fourth and tenth place in the Premier League, respectively, and next Friday is Valentine's Day. But for Enzo Maresca and his team, FA Cup duty comes first.

The Sussex club – winless in five games since November at the Amex Stadium – reached the last four of the FA Cup in 2019 and 2023 respectively. Their only appearance in the competition's showpiece fixture came back in 1983.

Chelsea finished second 110 years ago and lost to finalists three times in a row between 2020 and 2022, but our name was inscribed on the renowned trophy for the first time in 1970 and the eighth time in 2018. 

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The Blues have only lost twice in their previous 27 fourth-round matches, both of which took place at Stamford Bridge (in 2011 and 2015). Our most recent away loss at this stage was in January 1990 against Bristol City, who were two divisions below the Blues at the time. 

Chelsea is looking to win five straight games against Brighton on all fronts after a five-game losing streak between 2021 and 2023, three draws, and two losses.

In the third round, braces for Joao Felix and Tosin Adarabioyo helped the Blues overcome Morecambe 5-0. Meanwhile, Seagulls savaged the Canaries of Norwich City 4-0.

Team updates

On Monday night against West Ham United, Nicolas Jackson spearheaded the Blues' assault but was substituted off early in the second half because of a hamstring injury. He was replaced by Marc Guiu, and although the Spaniard finished the game, assistant coach Willy Caballero had to assist him down the tunnel full-time.

When asked about the pair at his pre-game news conference, Maresca clarified that Guiu will not be present for our game on the South Coast.

"Unfortunately, Marc has a serious injury," the head coach of the Blues stated. Nico is more capable and could be [suited for the game]. However, playing him might potentially be risky, so we'll see. However, it doesn't appear to be a chronic injury.

'Marc could be [a long injury]. We are still waiting to know the extent but it doesn’t look like a short injury, it looks long. Exactly how long, we don’t know yet. Probably weeks.'

Long-term absences include defenders Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile, while Maresca also revealed that midfielder Romeo Lavia is also out. The midfield player hasn't played since last month's 2-2 draw with Bournemouth.

"Romeo is still working on his comeback," the Chelsea manager clarified. However, there is still more work to be done.

FA Cup rules

Since there are no replays this season, the outcome of each FA Cup match will be determined on the spot. All venues will use the VAR system, but only starting with the fifth round.

There will be 30 minutes of extra time if the scores are tied at the end, and penalty kicks will be used to decide the winner if needed. Chelsea’s most recent shootout against Newcastle United in the League Cup quarter-final of December 2023 was won 4-2.

There can be up to five substitutes, with a sixth if more time is needed.

The round five draw will be broadcast live on BBC One on Monday, February 10 at 7.10 p.m. The dates of the last-16 matches are set for the weekend of March 1–2.

The history

Chelsea and Brighton have been partnered in the FA Cup three times, although this is the first time since 1973. The Blues have ended each match with ten men.

Before a third-round encounter on January 14, 1933, at the Goldstone Ground, the Division Three team's previous home, the two clubs had never played. The Seagulls had previously survived six knockout ties when they were denied an exemption from the preliminary stages due to a paperwork error.

However, Chelsea suffered early setbacks as Jackie Crawford of the Blues crocked and hobbled futilely on the flank and Arthur Attwood opened the goal for the home team. The undermanned Londoners lost 2-1 after falling farther down and then regaining one goal via George Barber.

The Blues advanced to the 1967 final after defeating Brighton following a round four rematch. Bobby Tambling opened the scoring in the fifth minute, but Albion equalised shortly after Johnny Boyle was sent off for a counterattack, and the first game ended in a tie.

The rerun at the Bridge was decided by Tambling's shooting. Before halftime, he scored twice. Boyle then gave Tony Hateley a tap-in, and Allan Young scored our fourth goal without a response.

In January 1973, at the third round gathering on the South Coast, violence erupted once more. With eighteen minutes remaining, Ron Harris punched Eddie Spearritt, earning him his sole career dismissal. After "doing" Tommy Baldwin, Albion's George Ley joined him ten minutes later to square up against Peter Osgood.

However, Ossie's previous efforts had the biggest influence. He gave us a 2-0 victory by scoring both of Chelsea's goals before halftime.

Be aware of this

Brighton and Chelsea have never faced off at the Amex Stadium in the FA Cup.

Our Premier League meeting at Stamford Bridge in September ended in a 4-2 victory for the hosts. Cole Palmer claimed all four goals in Enzo Maresca’s first home league win.

The Londoners have won on our past four fixtures against Albion on all fronts – and have lost just once in 11 visits to the Sussex club.

Our seven wins at Brighton across all competitions have each time been engineered by a different manager: Dave Sexton, John Neal, Bobby Campbell, Antonio Conte, Maurizio Sarri, Frank Lampard and Mauricio Pochettino registering one victory apiece.