Cutting down Blades with razor sharp performance big for Brighton

Three weeks ago and Brighton ran out 5-2 victors over Sheffield United in the FA Cup. The final score was impressive, but the Blades had a number of opportunities along with two goals gifted to them by Brighton.

Three days later and the Albion suffered a 4-0 defeat away at Luton Town, who started that terrible Tuesday evening 18th in the Premier League table.

Sheffield United might be bottom currently, but they did what the Seagulls could not – win at Kenilworth Road. The Blades were sharpened for the relegation battle ahead by beating Luton 3-1 a week before Brighton travelled to Bramall Lane.

The point? Nothing can be taken for granted in football. Playing away at Sheffield United was no easy task for the Albion. Winning 5-0 with such a strong performance deserves more credit than Roberto De Zerbi and his players have received.

Brighton might have been helped by the Blades nearly cutting off Kaoru Mitoma’s leg in the first half, for which Mason Holgate quite rightly received a red card.

Some pundits went so far afterwards as to say it was the worst tackle they had ever seen. Jamie Redknapp believed Mitoma was lucky to escape a career-ending injury.

Mitoma pulling his leg partly out of the way just in time to avoid the full force of the tackle saved him. It has possibly saved the Albion too, as Sheffield United 0-5 Brighton underlined how important wingers are to the Seagulls.

Joining Mitoma in the starting XI for the first time since December was Simon Adingra, back from the African Cup of Nations as a tournament winner.

Adingra had been welcomed home at the open training session on Friday held in front of supporters at the American Express Stadium, having travelled straight to Falmer from the airport.

The day proved such a success for the young fans who were lucky enough to attend that Adam Lallana expressed in an interview he hoped there would be more open sessions.

I certainly hope so too, knowing three family friends who would have loved to be there. They unfortunately just missed out this time around on an opportunity to have a close-up with their heroes.

The three young lads instead had to be content with their grandma buying them a copy of Seagulls Best Ever Season Volume 2 and getting it signed by me. Big deal, eh?!

What they loved even more were the posters from recent Europa League Programmes and all the stickers from the recent issue of Dogma.

Adingra was not the only one back for Brighton at Sheffield United. Roberto De Zerbi also returned after his dental surgery in Italy.

According to Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall on BBC Radio Sussex, De Zerbi was prowling around the pitch in his normal manner whilst the players warmed up. The return of their inspirational manager must have provided a real boost to the squad.

De Zerbi said beforehand that Brighton would have to “fight to win.” Sky Sports meanwhile bleated on about the Albion’s poor away form and how the Seagulls might struggle to score without the injured Joao Pedro.

Well, that was it for us. Wrong and wrong! It was just the opposite as Brighton won and scored five times without the player who hit a hat-trick last time against Sheffield United. See what I mean about the Albion not getting enough credit?

I watched the game on Sky Sports with the commentary provided by BBC Radio Sussex. Johnny and Warren reported that the pitch was a little ropey and may not suit the Albion’s style of play.

I thought the players should be able to cope… if Lewis Dunk has played on Hove Park as a kid, he can definitely handle Bramall Lane!

Bart Verbruggen was tested early on as the Blades made a fast start; so fast as to be a little gung-ho, I thought. Wes Foderingham had to make a save equally important to Verbruggen’s, clawing away an own goal attempt inches before it crossed the line to give Brighton the lead. A close shave for Sheffield United.

Then came that horror tackle from Holgate as Mitoma tried to break down the left wing. Holgate should be ashamed for nearly ending a fellow professional footballer’s career.

Referee Stuart Attwell only gave a yellow initially. VAR official Michael Oliver sent Mr Attwell to the screen and within seconds, the booking was quite rightly upgraded to a red.

Holgate waved his arms in the air, gesticulating and saying “WHAT?” Holgate should consider himself lucky the punishment stopped at being sent off – I would have nicked him for GBH with intent!

Blades boss Chris Wilder did not look happy; you wonder whether he had the knives out for Holgate and his recklessness? Because it was totally Holgate’s fork he was sent off.

Playing against 10 men can sometimes be harder than facing 11. Not for Brighton on this occasion, who began moving the ball around as if it were a training session.

It took just seven minutes from Holgate seeing red for the Albion to take the lead. A well-placed corner from Pascal Gross was headed back into the middle by Dunk before the ball was scrambled over the line. The goal was awarded to Facundo Buonanotte, who had also opened the scoring in the FA Cup game at Bramall Lane.

Mitoma was on the end of more rough treatment when two hands in his back pushed him to the ground in the area. Brighton were not awarded a penalty, which confused me as it looked a clear foul.

Not that it mattered. After waiting ages – all of four minutes – the Albion made it 2-0. Danny Welbeck rifled a rebound into the back of the net, causing De Zerbi to celebrate with a punch of the air.

Seven minutes of additional time were added at the end of the first half, during which a Sheffield United corner found its way past Verbrugen.

However, VAR deemed Ben Osborn to be offside. The goal was ruled out and Brighton went into the break 2-0 ahead and with De Zerbi relatively happy, I am sure.

My worry was that a two-goal lead would not be enough. The Blades could yet strike on the counter. I wanted the Albion to come out in part two, give the game a little more pace and build up that goal difference.

And build up that goal difference is precisely what they did. A Mitoma cross on 75 minutes was turned into his own goal by the foot of Sheffield United defender Jack Robinson to make it 3-0.

The television pictures showed plenty of Blades fans heading for the exits after that third goal went in. It is always very sad to turn your back on your team.

No, they have not been doing well this season – but that is the time when continued support is most needed.

Those Sheffield United supporters who left early missed Brighton goals four and five. Gross put in a great ball from the right and Adingra showed his skills with the finish.

Adingra struck again in the 85th minute to round off a memorable week for him personally. What a player he is turning out to be.

Victory saw the Albion jump up to seventh place. Dunk pointed out afterwards that the next eight games will have a huge bearing in where Brighton finish the campaign.

Will it be another Seagulls Best Ever Season? Let’s hope so – starting with Everton at home. No repeat of what happened last times the Toffees came to the Amex, please!

Tony Noble @Noble1844Tony

Seagulls Best Ever Season Volume 2 charts Brighton’s record breaking 2022-23 campaign through the eyes of Tony Noble, an East Stand Upper season ticket holder at the American Express Stadium. It is available from Waterstones, WHSmith, Amazon Bookstore and all good bookshops as well as the Albion Superstore at the Amex and via this link.