Magic of the FA Cup alive and well: Norwich 0-4 Brighton photos
The demise of the FA Cup has been overstated. Just ask any Albion fan who sent in their photos of Norwich City 0-4 Brighton from the third round of the world’s greatest cup competition.
It was an afternoon which had everything at Carrow Road. Georginio Rutter playing himself back into form with a brace after a barren spell.
Julio Enciso ending a 20 month wait for a goal. Shane Duffy getting a reception fitting of a king from the travelling Seagulls supporters. A Brighton debut for Ruairi McConville.
And the icing on the cake. Solly March scoring a spectacular distance strike in only his second game after a 14 months out with a career threatening ACL injury which required two knee surgeries to fix.
Fabian Hurzeler promised to take the FA Cup seriously beforehand, citing the Albion’s memorable run to semi final defeat at Wembley against Manchester United two season ago.
The Youngest Permanent Manager in Premier League History was true to his word. Hurzeler named as strong a starting XI as possible. He was rewarded with the biggest and most comfortable victory of his reign so far.
Brighton had to navigate a tricky opening 20 minutes in which Norwich hit the post. But once that was out of the way, there was only going to be one winner.
Rutter opened the scoring in the final 10 of the first half with a towering header from a Joel Veltman cross. The Albion’s £40 million record buy then doubled the advantage in injury time, taking a clattering in the process.
Enciso provided the third with a goal made and finished single-handedly. His relentless pressing earned possession, after which he clinically found the far corner from a tight angle.
That set the stage for March’s moment. Just four minutes after coming off the bench, he collected a Brajan Gruda pass and picked out the far corner with a curling effort from 30 yards.
Hurzeler said afterwards that March scoring gave him goosebumps. Welcome to the Magic of the FA Cup, Herr Hurzeler.
If you have any photos you would like included in our Norwich City 0-4 Brighton gallery please e-mail them to wearebrighton@hotmail.co.uk or tweet them to us @wearebrighton
