Troy Deeney labelled Bart Verbruggen’s error against Chelsea ‘an absolute stinker’ but his Brighton teammates bailed him out of jail.
Coming off a 7-0 mauling at the hands of Nottingham Forest in their last fixture, Brighton secured a much-needed win to book a spot in the fifth round of the FA Cup as they beat the Blues 2-1 at the Amex Stadium.
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However, they had to come from behind as the Seagulls’ best-laid plans were wrecked after just five minutes.
Jadon Sancho fizzed a diagonal pass towards Cole Palmer, who was stationed out on the left flank.
Palmer looked to catch Brighton’s backline off-guard and volleyed the ball across goal with a first-time effort.
However, the Chelsea star’s effort was directed towards Verbruggen and looked like it would be a routine save for the Dutchman.
Instead, the Seagulls goalkeeper misjudged the flight and bounce of the ball as it cannoned off his shoulder and into the back of the net.
A number of the Brighton players put their hands on their heads in sheer disbelief at their teammate’s shocking error.
Speaking on commentary, talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook labelled it as ‘an absolute calamity from Verbruggen.’
Former Watford striker Deeney was equally ruthless in his analysis.
“What a stinker,” Deeney said.
“What an absolute stinker the fella has had there.”
Deeney added: “He [Palmer] actually shanks it into the ground, it bounces into the keeper and he falls backwards towards his goal, hits his shoulder and goes in.
“It’s awful, awful goalkeeping. The best part about it as we’re watching the replays is seeing all the Brighton players, all the confidence has just gone.
“They must be feeling 7-0 is coming again.”
It is not the first time this season Verbruggen has been shaky at the back.
In fact, the 22-year-old has made four errors leading to a goal in the Premier League, with only Robert Sanchez and Ipswich Town goalkeeper Arijanet Muric producing more (five).
Luckily for Verbruggen, Brighton found an equaliser just seven minutes later.
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Seagulls defender Joel Veltman popped in a cross from just outside the box and was deftly flicked on by Georginio Rutter.
The pace on Rutter’s header left Chelsea goalkeeper Sanchez with no chance as the hosts swiftly got back on level terms.
Brighton then took the lead in the 57th minute through Kaoru Mitoma after he deftly controlled a lofted pass from Rutter before lifting it over the on-rushing Robert Sanchez.
The Japanese international’s second-half strike ultimately proved to be the winner in a much-needed boost for Fabian Hurzeler’s side.
For Chelsea, the loss means they have failed to qualify for the fifth round of the FA Cup for just the second time since the 2014/15 season.
As for Brighton, they have now reached the fifth round of the tournament for the fourth time in the last five campaigns.
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