Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion didn’t meet in the football league until 1983, that being one of the early fixtures of the memorable Division 2 campaign that saw Chelsea promoted as champions to Division 1.
However, the clubs had met a number of times in the F.A. Cup and the very first of those took place at the Goldstone Ground on 14th January 1933, the occasion being a 3rd Round Tie.
Despite the vast sums paid out since promotion in 1930, Chelsea had failed to deliver and were struggling yet again by the time they headed to Brighton. The South Coast side were ambling along in Division 3 South, so the likelihood was that Chelsea could put their league struggles behind them for a weekend at least and hopefully generate a decent run in the cup.
With 23,580 inside the Goldstone Ground, Chelsea got off to a nightmare start as Arthur Attwood scored for Brighton in the 1st minute.
Chelsea huffed and puffed throughout and what proved to be the killer blow came when Ernie Wilson doubled Brighton’s lead in the 67th minute. George Barber reduced the deficit in the 84th minute but Chelsea slipped to an embarrassing defeat. It would have made the sports headlines had Arsenal not suffered an even bigger shock defeat against Walsall on the same day.
The next encounter between the two clubs also took place at the Goldstone Ground, this being a 4th Round Tie on 18th February 1967. Bobby Tambling silenced the home supporters in the 35,000 gate by scoring in the 5th minute. Chelsea’s task became difficult when John Boyle was sent off after half an hour and after Brighton levelled the score just after half time through Dave Turner it really was all hands to the pump.
Fortunately, Chelsea managed to hold on for a Replay which took place at Stamford Bridge on 22nd February 1967. This time it was a relatively straightforward affair for Chelsea as Bobby Tambling scored twice before half time. Tony Hateley scored on 56 minutes and a late strike from Allan Young sent the majority of the 54,852 gate home happy with a 4-0 win.
The last time Chelsea faced Brighton in the cup was on 13th January 1973. The 3rd Round Tie proved to be a very bad tempered affair after Peter Osgood had given Chelsea a 15th minute lead. Several players were booked as tempers frayed, but Peter Osgood’s second goal on the hour looked to have sewn things up for Chelsea. The 29,287 gate created a raucous atmosphere with the majority delighted when Ron Harris got his marching orders in the 72nd minute. Instead of using the man advantage to reduce the arrears, Brighton lost their own heads and they were also reduced to ten men when George Ley was sent off with five minutes remaining.
Chelsea saw out the remaining time to win 2-0 and secure a 4th Round Tie at home to Ipswich Town.
By Paul Waterhouse of Bygone Chelsea
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