Follow Mail Sport's live blog of Brighton vs Chelsea as the Seagulls take on the Blues for a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup. By Harry Bamforth. Erm... Brighton have arrived at the Amex but most of the players do not look happy to be there. I mean, just look at Kaoru Mitoma, I bet he is moping because he could have been in sunny Saudi but instead, he is still in freezing Brighton. It's how we all feel, buddy.
Well, maybe not Lewis Dunk because he looks like a very happy chappy, doesn't he?. Look, I know that's not the best sub-heading but I was just trying to zhuzh things up...OK. Brighton's wings may already be pretty limp after last weekend, but Chelsea have the chance to clip them off completely here. The Blues haven't exactly been flying themselves, but the London derby comeback against West Ham will have given them some confidence.
And boy did they need it, the celebrations after the final whistle proved it. Enzo Maresca and his staff were jumping around and fist-pumping like they had just won the Premier League. OK, OK, I'm joking - but they were giving it some. Tonight, his side have the chance to show they have truly got their groove back - the Amex is not an easy place to come. Maresca will also be keen on getting some silverware this year, and while the Europa Conference League is obviously their best bet - I mean, come on - the FA Cup is a close second.
I mean, this competition has been brutal to Chelsea in the last few years, it's probably time it showed them some love. Will it be kind to them this evening?. Fabian Hurzeler, Brighton boss, speaking on Friday:. Boy, oh boy, has it been a tough seven days for Brighton. This time last week, Fabian Hurzeler and his players were heading back from Nottingham wondering what had just hit them. They weren't just battered by Forest, they were torn apart into tiny little pieces - seven to be exact.
Shipping three or four is bad enough, but to let in seven goals against anybody, no matter their level, is utterly embarrassing. Hurzeler is now under a lot of pressure to start turning things around, the fans are starting to get on the German's back. I mean, I don't care how much credit you have in the bank, if you lose 7-0 you deserve to get a wave of criticism. Anyway, the Seagulls have had a week to mull over everything and simply have to bounce back with a performance tonight.
Even if they get knocked out by Chelsea, the players have to show fight for the badge, otherwise, the atmosphere around the club will start to get unpleasant. The real question is, how badly did that defeat hit them?. I think the easier question to answer would be what hasn't happened?. We are not even at the end of Saturday but the FA Cup fourth round has already been rather mental. Manchester United kicked things off against Leicester last night, and my word was it dramatic.
I mean, the game for the most part was pants, with United struggling at Old Trafford as per usual, but this time they actually managed to come back after going behind. Harry Maguire sent the Theatre of Dreams absolutely bananas with a stoppage-time winner, but it was controversial, to say the least. Maguire was clearly offside, but with no VAR present, the goal was given. United's rivals Manchester City had a good old scrap to get through, having to come from behind to beat Leyton Orient. If you haven't seen the east London's side's opener though, I'd suggest you go an watch it. It is sensational.
Elsewhere, there were wins for Bournemouth, Ipswich, and Fulham, but Southampton were knocked out by Championship high-flyers Burnley. And last but not least, there is currently a mental match going on at St Andrews between Birmingham and Newcastle. It's currently two goals apiece in what has been a topsy-turvy first half, it's hard to keep up. If you want to though, click here. Yes, we have even more football to bring to you?.
You know when you are at a buffet and just can't stop eating because of all the options, well, that's what this weekend feels like. I mean, we all love a cracking buffet so nobody is complaining. We have had the appetisers, we have had some more small plates, but now it's time for Saturday's main course. It's not always exciting for two Premier League teams to face off in the FA Cup so early, but when Brighton and Chelsea are involved it's always entertaining.
