Stoke 0-1 Brighton: Happy Caicedo tops FA Cup player ratings
Who reading this is old enough to remember when Arsenal fans lectured the Albion that keeping Moises Caicedo against his will would make him very unhappy? Because his performance which topped the player ratings in Stoke City 0-1 Brighton looked like one given by a player pretty satisfied with his current lot in life.
Not many players being paid a mere 10 shillings a week would have defied the rough treatment handed out by the hosts at the Bet365 Stadium to give such a composed and superb display.
It was almost like those Gunners supporters who spoke of slavery, employment law and Caicedo rocking the ship to derail the Albion’s quest for Europe and silverware did not know what they were talking about.
Caicedo has knuckled down since all the January drama and although it remains likely he will depart in the summer, he may well do so having helped Brighton to their highest ever league finish and played at Wembley in the FA Cup.
Although not at their free flowing best, the Albion avoided a potential banana skin at the Bet365 Stadium to advance to the quarter finals of the competition.
One goal from Evan Ferguson decided it in a professional showing from the Seagulls, who proved they can do it on a cold Tuesday night in Stoke. Here are your Stoke City 0-1 Brighton player ratings.
Jason Steele – 7.56
The Albion’s man of Steele being the second highest scoring player in the Stoke 0-1 Brighton ratings is indicative of this being an evening when the Seagulls had to give a good defensive performance. Made three important first half saves and was very assured on the ball other than one hairy moment.
Pascal Gross – 6.78
A game of two halves for Der Kaiser. Had a slow opening 45 minutes at right back before becoming a man possessed after the break. As one of the more clinical players in this Albion squad, it was a surprise to see his finishing let him down with an effort dragged wide.
Jan Paul van Hecke – 7.33
Has put in some really good performances against Championship opponents in the FA Cup this season. His reading of the game helped him avert a couple of dangerous situations. Should have scored with a header from a first half corner put over the bar.
Lewis Dunk – 6.56
His 400th Brighton appearance featured one early slip which nearly proved costly. Other than that, he was rarely troubled. Played a part in the only goal with his grounded through ball splitting the Stoke defence to send Kaoru Mitoma clear.
Tariq Lamptey – 6.89
The Albion’s lack of options at left back other than Pervis Estupinan meant Lamptey filling in again on the opposite flank to where he naturally plays. De Zerbi likes inverted wingers so it will be interesting to see if an inverted full back is persisted with in the Premier League. One lovely cross to Facundo Buonanotte after cutting back showed what he can offer in the role.
Alexis Mac Allister – 6.44
Having spent the last few games as a number 10 in the absence of Adam Lallana, Mac Allister was back as one of the two holding players. Tidy in possession but lacking the guile Brighton have come to expect from their World Cup winner.
MOISES CAICEDO – 8.00
At the heart of everything good the Albion did, which explains why Stoke decided their best chance of pulling off an upset was by kicking him off the park. Showed the defensive side of his game with a perfect recovery tackle whilst his vision was also evidenced with a great pass to send Jeremy Sarmiento clear.
Jeremy Sarmiento – 6.89
Consistency is his biggest problem and this felt like a missed opportunity to stake his claim to take over on the right should Solly March’s injury rule him of the West Ham United game.
Facundo Buonanotte – 6.56
Stoke away is not exactly the easiest place for an 18-year-old fresh from Argentina to make his full debut in English football. Comfortable on the ball and popped up in some clever areas, although he really should have had a goal at the back post when opting to try and head home a ball that was a couple of yards off the ground when a volley looked by far the better option.
Kaoru Mitoma – 6.89
Denied by a decent save from Stoke goalkeeper Jack Bonham. His expertly timed run and selfless, precision pass across the box teed up Ferguson for the only goal of the game on the half hour mark.
Evan Ferguson – 7.22
A simple finish for his goal but worth considering we have seen plenty of Brighton players miss such easy opportunities over the past three seasons. Linked play well and did not shirk in the face of a physical Potters outfit.
Deniz Undav – 5.67
Should have scored when lobbing wide after being presented with an open goal. Some promising stuff other than that in his cameo, which coincided with Brighton creating some of their better chances.
Joel Veltman – 6.22
Brought on to strengthen the defence at right back as Stoke sought a second half equaliser. His passing was a bit off but he was solid defensively in seeing out the clean sheet.
Julio Enciso – 6.00
Struggled to get into the game. Again though, the Bet365 Stadium hardly screams a venue where a teenager from South America is going to thrive.
Danny Welbeck – 6.22
Back from injury and seemed determined to force his way into the Premier League starting XI as soon as possible with a feisty showing. Would have made the game safe late on were it not for a pesky post.
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.
