Norwich 0-4 Brighton: Perfect day for Albion in FA Cup

Anyone wondering how seriously The Youngest Permanent Manager in Premier League History would take the FA Cup got a resounding answer at Carrow Road. Norwich City 0-4 Brighton was just about the perfect day for the Seagulls as they cruised past the Canaries, rewarding Fabian Hurzeler for giving the world’s greatest cup competition the respect it deserves.

Four goals scored. A rare clean sheet. Georginio Rutter netting twice to ease mass panic over Joao Pedro joining the lengthy absentee list after requiring an MRI scan on ankle twisted in training.

Julio Enciso back in the goals for the first time in nearly two years. Highly rated Under 21s defender Ruairi McConville making his debut and looking an assured, younger, Irish version of Jan Paul van Hecke. King Shane Duffy getting a reception befitting on an, er, king from the 2,700 strong away end.

And topping it all off, Solly March with a fairy tale finish after spending 14 months out injured with a career-threatening ACL injury which required two knee surgeries.

There were even some signs that said absentee list might be starting to shorten. Danny Welbeck came on as a welcome second half substitute in Norwich 0-4 Brighton for his first action in five weeks.

Pedro then took to social media afterwards to confirm the scan on his ankle had come back “okay”. Depending on what his definition of “okay” is, we might see the Brazilian forward return to action quicker than expected.

Which would make a big change from “minor injuries” ruling out the likes of James Milner and Lewis Dunk for months at a time.

All of this sounds rather positive, doesn’t it? A big contrast to recent negativity around the Albion thanks to an eight game winless run featuring six fixtures against opponents in the bottom half of the Premier League table.

Hurzeler has been subjected to criticism during the barren spell but he deserves credit for his approach to facing Norwich.

Despite his words in Thursday’s press conference about wanting to try and win the FA Cup, there must have been some temptation to rest players with two Premier League games upcoming in the next eight days at Ipswich Town and Manchester United.

Hurzeler though named his strongest possible XI for Norwich 0-4 Brighton, bar the traditional swapping of Jason Steele for Bart Verbruggen.

Not only did it see the Albion into round four, but the convincing manner of victory should also serve as a confidence boost for those trips to the Portman Road and Old Trafford.

Nothing fosters belief quite like winning games of football; even against Championship opponents missing two first choice centre forwards, whose attention is firmly on the battle for a playoff place rather than harbouring Wembley dreams as the Albion do.

Brighton were actually quite slow to get going with the game only really sparking into life after Rutter opened the scoring eight minutes before half time.

The Canaries had the first real chance of the tie when Amankwah Forson rattled the post after 13 minutes with a curling effort from outside the box.

Forson had scored only twice so far this season before notching two in injury time last weekend to give Norwich a dramatic 2-1 win over Frank Lampard’s Coventry City.

The Ghanian was clearly full of confidence as a result and looked lively during Norwich’s decent start. The requirement for getting to grips with Forson in midfield at least shook Carlos Baleba into life.

Baleba began the game playing like a man who thought he could cruise through in second gear against Championship opponents. Once Baleba realised he would need to hit at least third or fourth gear, the Albion became better.

Two blocks in the space of a couple of minutes denied Rutter but it was third time lucky for the £40 million man. Yankubu Minteh tricked and teased Canaries left back Ben Chrisene before passing back towards Joel Veltman.

A pinpoint whipped cross into the box from the suave and sophisticated Dutchman was met by the head of Rutter, who powered past Norwich goalkeeper George Long to give Brighton the lead.

Long did not deserve to concede four times by the end, if for no other reason than he was wearing one of the greatest goalkeeper shirts currently being used in world football. It looked like it had been designed by someone playing with a Rubik’s Cube whilst on acid.

Undazzled by Long’s colourful number, Rutter doubled the advantage in injury time. Minteh caused more carnage, this time coming inside from the right flank to seize possession in midfield.

He drove at the Norwich defence who backed off and backed off, leaving space for Minteh to slip in Rutter. A powerful finish from a tight angle gave Long no chance, although Rutter did take an almighty clattering from Callum Doyle as he converted.

Brighton have earned a reputation under Hurzeler for cocking up 2-0 leads, as seen in October’s 2-2 draw at home against Wolves and last month’s same scoreline at Leicester City.

The next goal would therefore be crucial. Enciso provided it on the hour mark, some 25 minutes or so after producing his new party trick of running off to celebrate as soon as he hits a shot which ends up going nowhere the goal. Which might just be my favourite thing about watching the Albion this season.

Having spent much of the past month trying to twat the ball in from 30 yards, Enciso broke his 20 month duck with a controlled and measured finish from an opportunity he fashioned himself.

Enciso pressed Brad Hills to win possession in the Norwich right back position. He then advanced towards goal before picking out the far corner, cool as you like with unerring accuracy from the tightest of angles. Precision over power – hopefully an important lesson for the Albion’s number 10.

The final goal in Norwich 0-4 Brighton provided the icing on the cake. March had come on three minutes earlier for his second appearance since returning from his injury nightmare.

With his first touch, he bent an exquisite left footed effort over Long from a Brajan Gruda pass. Welbeck though deserved much of the credit for creating the opportunity for March.

Realising he would be flagged offside if he touched the ball and with the awareness to know March was cutting in behind him, Dat Guy left Gruda’s pass to give March his moment.

Every Albion player flocked forward to celebrate with March, including Captain Steele. Hurzeler said afterwards he had goosebumps from both March scoring and the reaction of players and fans.

If you thought that was good, Herr Hurzeler, just wait until March scores the winner in the FA Cup final at Wembley on May 17th…