It was a difficult match with an ambitious second division team: Pascal Groß Brighton and Hove to a 4:2 (1:1) win in Stoke and into the next round of the FA Cups guided. Chelsea FC solved a compulsory task.
Brighton were of course favorites to beat the second division team Stoke City driven. But as expected, the hosts fought for every meter of ground in difficult conditions and made it difficult for the team Premier League very difficult.
Stoke took a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute thanks to an own goal from Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke, and Pervis Estupian (45 +6.) scored the deserved equalizer in stoppage time in the first half.
Big crosses accurately, Pedro scores
The advanced defender Lewis Dunk heaved the ball into the net to make it 2-1 for Brighton in the 52nd minute, but Stoke hit back eleven minutes later through Lewis Baker to make it 2-2. And then came Groß’s appearance: in the 71st minute he hit a perfect cross to the onrushing Joao Pedro, who headed in to make it 3-2. Pedro increased the score again on the counterattack (80th) to 4:2.
Chelsea lets Preston down
Chelsea FC, which has sunk in the gray midfield in the league, has the highest hopes in the FA Cup. The Blues are already in the semi-finals of the League Cup, but if they win the title this only guarantees a starting place in the Conference League. The FA Cup is different, as it lifts the winner straight into the Europa League.
The Blues took the game against second division side Preston seriously. Mauricio Pochettino fielded almost his best eleven. Chelsea were struggling and no goals had been scored at the half. After the restart, Chelsea picked up the pace: Preston could hardly escape from their own half. In the 58th minute the time had come: Broja headed the ball into the net after Gusto’s Flabke to make it 1-0.
Late decision
A little later the decision: Joker Thiago Silva scored with a header after a corner from Palmer (66th). A little later, Sterling made everything clear, the Englishman flicking a free kick from 18 meters perfectly into the left corner (69′). Fernandez made it 4-0 in the final minute after a VAR review for offside.