Brighton 5-0 Grimsby: Brace bagging Ferguson tops FA Cup ratings

Such is the power of the FA Cup that greatness can be bestowed upon a player if they simply star in a memorable run to the final stages of the competition. In 1983, Jimmy Case was that man. In 2023, it is Evan Ferguson with his latest showing being two goals and top spot in the player ratings as Brighton beat Grimsby Town 5-0.

Ferguson seems destined to be remembered for more than simply his performances in the world’s greatest cup competition for the Albion in 2023. He is a young man with the world at his feet.

But he will achieve legend status at Brighton before his 19th birthday if he keeps scoring and assisting as the Albion march to Wembley. As Gary Lineker said: “I see a real centre forward before my eyes.”

With the Carabao Cup cock up not quite out of the minds of Seagulls supporters yet (and certainly not Roberto De Zerbi), there was an element of worry before kick off about Brighton facing a side from League Two.

We need not have fretted. This was a thoroughly professional performance from the Albion, especially in the second half when Ferguson played a major role in putting Brighton on easy street.

Here are your Brighton 5-0 Grimsby player ratings. Next stop, Wembley…

Robert Sanchez – 6.50
One hairy moment when he may have handled the ball outside his box with the game still very tight. Made a decent stop from John McAtee but was not overly worked for his clean sheet.

Pascal Gross – 7.13
Created numerous chances from right back. This was one of those days where he is really valuable in that position, defending dutifully when required alongside his main role of overloading opponents by stepping into midfield and beyond.

Adam Webster – 6.75
Played one of the best crosses of the game when teeing up Solly March for the diving header goal. Some good covering tackles, most notably on McAtee.

Lewis Dunk – 7.63
A comfortable afternoon for the Brighton captain, who will now lead the Albion out at Wembley for a record-breaking third time. Almost gave us an Adam Hinshelwood against Colchester United on Boxing Day moment with a quite incredible back pass.

Pervis Estupinan – 6.00
Roberto De Zerbi said he hauled Estupinan at half time as he was not happy with how he had been playing. That led to a change to a back three with the Albion looking much better after the break.

Alexis Mac Allister – 6.75
You might expect a World Cup winner to be more prominent against League Two opponents. He went about his business quietly enough, including with the quality ball in for Ferguson’s opening goal.

Moises Caicedo – 7.38
Took advantage of Grimsby’s understandable defensive approach to get into more attacking positions than we perhaps see him in the Premier League. That manifested itself in his shot being parried by Mariners goalkeeper Max Crocombe, presenting Deniz Undaz with the opener.

Solly March – 8.13
March has been nearly as prominent in this cup run as Ferguson, reflected in him securing the second highest score in the Brighton 5-0 Grimsby ratings. The diving header was a thing of beauty. It is no exaggeration to say that De Zerbi has changed his career.

Deniz Undav – 6.88
Showed good reactions and the instinct of a predator to fire home the opening goal. Missed two straightforward chances which could have given him a hat-trick but he balanced that out by teeing up the killer third for Ferguson.

Kaoru Mitoma – 7.00
Grimsby were almost treble marking him at times. He still managed to find a way to get on the scoresheet with a heavily deflected effort. The scenes in Japan when he steps out onto the hallowed Wembley turf are going to be something else.

EVAN FERGUSON – 8.88
The first touch and finish for his opening goal were sublime. A clinical finish into the bottom corner gave him his second. Had one ruled out for offside in a performance which frankly deserved a hat-trick.

Levi Colwill – 7.00
It was a bit of a surprise when he made his entrance at half time in place of Estupinan. Allowed the defence to become more fluid as a three, a major factor in the four second half goals.

Jeremy Sarmiento – 6.50
Struggled to make much impact after coming on but the Albion were absolutely on one at that point.

Danny Welbeck – 6.13
Dat Guy has looked particularly sharp in recent weeks. Continued in that vein here, being denied a goal by a flying Andrew Smith tackle.

Jan Paul van Hecke – 6.50
You know the game is done when De Zerbi gives Dunk a rest. An assured performance in the closing stages.

Yasin Ayari – 6.63
A debut they would have been talking about for years had his audacious, acrobatic bicycle kick gone in.

The WAB Player Ratings are formulated using marks out of 10 given by Brighton fans via Twitter. To have your scores included, follow We Are Brighton on Twitter and look out for the player rating thread after each game.