Stoke 2-4 Brighton: Hell hath no fury like Roberto De Zerbi scorned
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Or as the poor Potters found out in Stoke City 2-4 Brighton, hell hath no fury like Roberto De Zerbi scorned.
Nine months on from the FA Cup semi final defeat on penalties to Manchester United and De Zerbi still bristles about that day at Wembley.
He feels – as do many Seagulls supporters and neutrals who watched – the Albion deserved to advance to their second FA Cup final. And the only way to right that wrong is by going at least one better this season.
Whether Brighton make it to Wembley again will be about the luck of the draw as much as anything. On their day, the Albion can beat anyone in England. They proved this on last season’s run, when eliminating holders Liverpool in the fourth round at the Amex.
But it obviously becomes a lot easier to go far in the competition if you avoid a Manchester City or Arsenal. Fingers crossed whoever is handling the balls is gentle with number four on Monday evening.
De Zerbi for his part will pay little attention to the opponents. Whether facing Maidstone United or Manchester United, it will be strong teams all the way as he looks to become the first Albion manager to lift a major piece of silverware in the club’s history.
In Stoke 2-4 Brighton, that meant a full strength Albion XI. De Zerbi had promised as much in his pre-game press conference, although the suspicion remained that the likes of Carlos Baleba and Mahmoud Dahoud might get game time having sat on the bench for much of the past few weeks.
Not on De Zerbi’s nelly. All the big guns were involved, including those who other managers might have rested. Joao Pedro, Jan Paul van Hecke, Pascal Gross and Jack Hinshelwood have all played a lot of football lately.
This though is the FA Cup. Brighton want to win it. And De Zerbi decreed they can put their feet up for 16 days during the Premier League winter break once the Albion were safely into round four.
For much of the first half, it did not look like round four would be Brighton’s destination. This full strength Albion XI gifted a Stoke side sitting 19th in the Championship an early lead which the hosts held until Pervis Estupinan single-handedly dragged Brighton back level.
The opening goal arrived with 11 minutes on the clock. Lewis Dunk passed straight to Ki-Jana Hoever. The Dutch defender quickly released Bae Jun-Ho down the right flank and his low cross was converted in comical fashion by Van Hecke.
It was a wonderful own goal and means that there is no need to try and find an obscure reference or reason to cram into this match report the time Jack Hinshelwood’s dad Adam scored from 30 yards past his own goalkeeper against Colchester United on Boxing Day.
Having already been booked a few minutes earlier, Brighton were left wondering what the Van Hecke was going on with JP?
The gift galvanised Stoke. Brighton dominated possession after falling behind, but the Potters had the better chances and looked the more likely to score.
Wesley shot just wide after springing the Albion’s offside trap. Bart Verbruggen saved from both Wouter Burger and Wesley. The Potters could have been out of sight.
De Zerbi naming a full strength side in an attempt to take the FA Cup very, very seriously followed by the Albion bowing in front of a half-empty Bet365 Stadium looked like it was about to become the most Brighton thing since losing to Charlton Athletic in the League Cup 13 months ago.
Estupinan though had other ideas. Billy Gilmour headed a lose ball into the path of the Ecuadorian deep into six minutes of injury time.
There seemed little on until you remember Estupinan is one of the best left backs in the world for a reason. Just as he did against Spurs two games ago, Estupinan unleashed a rocket from distance which gave Stoke goalkeeper Daniel Iversen no chance.
Albion set pieces have been much-maligned in recent times so it was a pleasant surprise to see them take the lead for the first time in Stoke 2-4 Brighton via a well worked short corner routine early in the second half.
Gross played a one-two with Estupinan. Der Kaiser then clipped a cross to the back post which Dunk headed home to send the packed away end wild.
Brighton were now in control. It therefore came something against the run of play when the Potters equalised. Verbruggen made a fine one-handed save from Burger, only for the resulting corner to end up hitting Dunk in the arm.
For all the complaints Albion fans had and the predictable chorus of “De Zerbi’s right, the refs are shite”, Dunk raising his arms when a corner comes into the box cost Brighton – not for the first time and not for the last, unless he gets out of the habit.
Lewis Baker smashed home a textbook penalty into the bottom corner. With 25 minutes left to play, a replay in the middle of what was meant to be Brighton’s winter break was looming.
Thank goodness then for Pedro. His double took Stoke 2-2 Brighton to Stoke 2-4 Brighton. In the process, he saved many a Dry January; there is absolutely no way I would make it through a midweek home game against Stoke without drinking a litre of cooking sherry beforehand.
Six minutes after Stoke equalised and Gross claimed his second assist of the afternoon, curling a ball into the area met by a powerful header by Pedro.
For all his talent on the ball and the way he glides effortlessly past opponents as you would expect from a stereotypical Brazilian player, Pedro’s aerial ability is phenomenal.
If he improves his decision making, it will not be long until he is the next departure off the Albion rank – and for a significant profit on the £30 million which Brighton paid in the summer. Chelsea are probably already preparing their bid.
Pedro then made the game safe with 10 minutes remaining. Van Hecke atoned for his earlier own goal, playing a one-two with Jack Hinshelwood followed by another one-two with Gross.
This left Van Hecke as the second-furthest forward Brighton player, breaking through the Stoke backline. Most managers would tear their hair out at a centre back going on such an adventure when defending a one-goal lead late in the day, but not De Zerbi.
Van Hecke was roared on and he duly swept a pass into the area which Pedro converted on the stretch. 15 goals in all competitions now for Pedro this season; of Premier League players, only Erling Haaland and Mo Salah have more.
And that concluded a ding-dong FA Cup tie. Into the fourth round. Seventh in the Premier League. Europa League last 16. Two weeks off. Injured players coming back. Gross assisting everywhere. Pedro looking like Pele reincarnated. Van Hecke playing as if he is the new Franz Beckenbauer.
Strap yourselves in folks. The second half of the season is shaping up to be a cracker for the Albion.
