How a lighter sparked Brighton’s remarkable turnaround from 7-0 to 2-1 in FA Cup

BRIGHTON boss Fabian Hurzeler used a cigarette lighter to spark their stunning 2-1 win over Chelsea in the FA Cup.

The Seagulls were smashed 7-0 by Nottingham Forest last Saturday and desperately needed to respond against the Blues last night.

Preparation began for the game on Monday morning, with Hurzeler finding an unusual way to start afresh.

The 31-year-old manager picked up a cigarette lighter and burnt the tactical paperwork used to prepare for the Forest game.

Hurzeler did this in front of the whole squad and held one-on-one meetings with several players, according to The Athletic.

It proved to be the beginning of a remarkable turnaround as Brighton booked their spot in the fifth round with a comeback win over Chelsea.

Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen made a howler in the first five minutes to gift the visitors a 1-0 lead before strikes by Georginio Rutter and Kaoru Mitoma sealed victory.

On the performance, Hurzeler said: "Of course, they showed a reaction, great intensity in training.

"But, on the other side, that’s only because of one game. Normally you should have intensity throughout the whole season.

"We were honest to each other that our standards were not high enough and we were not demanding enough of each other, not ruthless enough.

"Maybe we accept a little bit the lack of intensity, that if I am a player we don’t commit 100 per cent in training.

"We said we need to commit now, be a team that is hard to beat. We need to have the standards in the last two training sessions for the rest of the season.”

Brighton have the chance to beat Chelsea again on Friday as they meet in the Premier League.