Neal Maupay’s extra-time winner saw Brighton and Hove Albion come from 1-0 down to win 2-1 against West Bromwich Albion in the third round of the FA Cup.
Callum Robinson scored the opener for Valérien Ismaël’s side early in the second half, but Cedric Kipre’s red card after 69 minutes changed the tie. Brighton soon took full control and were handed their just reward when substitute Jakob Moder levelled the affair with 10 minutes to play.
West Brom managed to hold on to take the clash to extra-time, but Maupay’s 98th-minute goal proved to be the winner for Graham Potter’s side.
What five things did we learn from the game?
Odel Offiah and Evan Ferguson are ready for senior football
Brighton handed a first-ever senior start to defender Odel Offiah, while forward Evan Ferguson came off the bench to make just his second appearance for the first team.
It was a major showing of trust by Potter, but the two youngsters repaid that belief in abundance. Offiah played as the right-wing-back in Brighton’s 3-5-2 system and was as assured as any on The Hawthorns pitch.
With Tariq Lamptey the usual option for Potter in that role, it was always going to be hard for Offiah to replicate the former Chelsea man’s output, but he put in an excellent performance.
Not only was he a solid defensive presence, but he was comfortable on the ball, and not afraid of driving inside from the touchline. Offiah didn’t look out of place down the right flank and was unlucky to be withdrawn through injury after 55 minutes. He was a rare bright spark in a fairly lacklustre Brighton performance before the West Brom sending off.
Like Offiah, Evan Ferguson has impressed for the Brighton youth sides this season, and he made an instant impact off the bench. Just 17 years of age, Ferguson was brought on to play alongside Maupay through the middle, and he grabbed the assist for Moder’s equaliser just five minutes after coming on.
That was paired with an all-round impressive cameo from the man who’s scored eight Premier League 2 goals this season. His link-up play was excellent, and against a strong West Brom side, he didn’t look out of place. The pair are ready to make their Premier League debuts now, and Potter may well look to slowly integrate them into the league squad before the end of the season.
Jake Livermore is still a class act
West Brom may have looked toothless in the second half, but Jake Livermore was a standout in the middle of the park. The former Tottenham player, and seven-capped England international, was alongside youngster Taylor Gardner-Hickman in central midfield and was the consummate professional.
His match intelligence clearly hasn’t waned, and the 32-year-old was a standout for the home side. He kept his game simple, but broke up play excellently, and was a large part of why Brighton struggled to create much until the West Brom sending off.
Matt Phillips is a serious danger up front
While West Brom began to drop deep and sit in during the latter stages of the game, it was a different story in the first half. With Robinson and Carlan Grant flanking him, Matt Phillips was a constant thorn in the side of Brighton’s defence.
His physical presence enabled West Brom to go long at times, and even against Shane Duffy and Dan Burn, two huge centre-backs, he managed to more than hold his own. His first touch off his chest was immaculate, and he brought teammates into play constantly.
Phillips ran the channels well, but his work in between the posts was exceptional. It was a selfless display, epitomised by West Brom’s goal. It was Robinson who scored, from a Grant assist, but it all came from Phillips’ flick-on.
He was taken off after 64 minutes, and while the red card played a major role, the absence of Phillips to occupy the Brighton backline meant West Brom were unable to establish regular possession.
Brighton still need a clinical forward
Although it was Maupay who eventually scored the winner, Brighton should’ve been out of sight before the end of the 90 minutes. West Brom had the better of things in the opening 45, yet it was Brighton who had the two biggest chances.
Both Maupay and Danny Welbeck missed one-on-one chances against David Button, with the pair unable to convert two huge opportunities, and it nearly cost the Premier League outfit.
Against better opposition, that lack of clinical edge would’ve cost the Seagulls, and Potter will surely be looking for options in the January transfer window.
Leandro Trossard is the difference-maker for Brighton
While a pure number nine is still missing for Brighton, creative flair is certainly not lacking. It was a lacklustre performance until Leandro Trossard was introduced, and that’s no surprise.
The Belgian has been Brighton’s go-to man this campaign, and he was needed against the Baggies. With four league goals this season, Trossard has arguably been the Seagulls’ most integral player this campaign, and he changed the game against West Brom.
He may not have put his name on the scoresheet, but he injected energy and impetus into the Brighton performance, and his class was the reason Maupay scored the winner.
Moder’s cut-back cross was heading straight for Trossard, but he opted to dummy the ball, fooling the West Brom defenders, for Maupay to strike.
In a game lacking real class, Trossard was the difference.
