Brighton beating Chelsea just what the doctor ordered for Hurzeler
After Brighton lost 7-0 at Nottingham Forest, we wondered if a heaviest defeat for 67 years was the start of a downward trend for the Albion?
Seven days later and we got an answer. Definitely not. Brighton went and knocked Chelsea out of the FA Cup, beating the Blues 2-1 at the Amex Stadium.
The result and performance was just what the doctor ordered after that humiliating loss at the City Ground. Not that Fabian Hurzeler had heard of the phrase before.
“I learned another sentence, just what the doctor ordered. There are some interesting sentences in English,” said Hurzeler afterwards.
The Albion seem to suffer at least one thrashing a season. 6-1 at Aston Villa last season. 5-1 against Everton the season before.
What matters more is the response. The Albion drew with Marseille following the Villa game and won at Arsenal after the Toffees were too sticky at the Amex.
Hurzeler was able to get a similar response. Which means Brighton are into the fifth round of the FA Cup in a year when many of the favourites are getting knocked out.
There were some great ties over fourth round weekend. Leyton Orient stood out with their brave display against Manchester City. It was only when Kevin De Bruyne was brought on that City were able to see off Orient. And Plymouth of course put out the mighty Liverpool.
So, with no Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal or Tottenham left in the FA Cup, the Albion have a great chance of moving forward in the competition. Even after the fifth round draw sent Brighton to Newcastle United. We have already won at St James’ Park this season, remember.
One English phrase Hurzeler did know before the Chelsea game was “do or die.” He used it several times to describe the FA Cup tie, as well as calling on the Amex to be a 12th man.
And watching on TV after a hectic week at work, it sounded like the Albion faithful responded to Hurzeler’s request magnificently.
The level of noise was terrific. Especially as nearly 6,000 of the 23,279 in the crowd were Chelsea fans. Away supporters always tend to be lounder than home, but even with such a big following the Blues were drowned out by Brighton.
Robert Sanchez was in goal for Chelsea, meaning I was quietly confident we would see a ricket from him. However, it was Bart Vebruggen who ended up with egg on his mush when a poor error gave Chelsea the lead after only five minutes.
The Blues showed how dangerous they can be even before the gift from Verbruggen. Pedro Neto made a run down the right and crossed straight to the feet of Cole Palmer, who rocketed a shot away tipped over by Verbruggen.
Palmer was again involved with the Chelsea goal. His cross looked like it would be an easy collect for Verbruggen. However, in trying to catch he only succeeded in bundling into the back of his own net.
Lewis Dunk was quickly over to console his goalkeeper after the error. A nice touch from the captain, which must have helped Verbruggen regain his confidence and composure for the remaining 85 minutes.
We only had to wait seven minutes for the Albion to equalise. Jack Hinshelwood and Tariq Lamptey linked up down the left.
Lamptey – who played a blinder – crossed to the opposite side of the Chelsea box, where Yankubu Minteh was waiting.
Minteh passed back to Joel Veltman, who delivered a delightful cross for Georginio Rutter to place an immaculate header into the bottom corner.
Rutter next led a fantastic breakaway down the left. He crossed into the box but Marc Cucurella got their first, clearing away so that no Brighton player could convert.
Dunk went down a couple of times towards the end of the first half, seeming to hold his left side. Not wanting to take any risks, the Albion brought on Adam Webster at the break.
Brighton took the lead on 57 minutes via a great goal from Kaoru Mitoma. Lamptey had a shot blocked which fell to Rutter.
He had the forethought to delicately chip the ball over the Chelsea defence. Mitoma chested it down and lifted it over Sanchez to move the Albion 2-1 ahead.
Malo Gusto was perhaps a little lucky not to concede a penalty when challenging Joao Pedro. Had VAR been in operation, it might well have been given.
Brighton were playing the better football as the game headed towards the 90 but Chelsea looked like they could cause problems on the break.
There were only three minutes of added time. Brighton have been here before, of course. Had they learnt about the importance of game management?
Would they see out the win and help everyone at the Amex get onto a train at Falmer Station and back to Brighton in a timely fashion by avoiding extra time and penalties?
Yes was the answer, leading to a totally different feeling from the week before. Hurzeler and the squad had restored faith and put all our chins up.
This is the kind of football the Albion can play. And when they do, it is superb. Hopefully, beating Chelsea in the FA Cup is the start of a winning run for Brighton. Which can be continued against… Chelsea again on Friday night in the Premier League.
I can’t understand why I ever thought the Albion were on a downward spiral…
Tony Noble @Noble1844Tony
