Ruthless Joao Pedro came to the fore with a nine-minute double to help Brighton and Hove Albion win an entertaining FA Cup tie at Stoke City.
Much-changed Stoke gave as good as they got for large parts of this third round clash at the bet365 Stadium and were level at 2-2 going into the final 20 minutes – but Joao Pedro finished off two darting runs in the box with goals that sealed Brighton’s progress.
It was 2-1 to Brighton when Lewis Dunk found space to head home a back post cross but 2-2 when Lewis Baker fired in a penalty after a clumsy Dunk handball. Stoke fans started to believe in an upset but instead up stepped Joao Pedro.
Steven Schumacher had made six changes, partly as he took the chance to explore his squad away from the Championship and partly because his hand was forced due to the lack of full-backs. Mehdi Leris and Daniel Johnson were asked to start as wing-backs in a 3-4-2-1 system. Brighton, as had been expected, dominated possession and were quick with their attacks. There was a collective sigh of relief when Facundo Buonanotte couldn’t get a touch on a deflected Joao Pedro dinked cross.
And Brighton’s fourth took the sting out of the match. Van Hecke charged forward to get to the by-line on the inside right and his pass across was met by the steaming run of Joao Pedro to hammer past Iversen. Stoke out but applauded and can now switch their focus back to the day job in the Championship. It’s a big game at Rotherham next weekend.
Here are the player ratings from the bet365 Stadium:
Iversen: Smart reflexes to stop McNally deflection and showed good positioning. Beaten by some clinical finishing. 6
Hoever: Asked to play on the right of a back three and showed technique breaking forward, playing key role in opener. 7
Rose: Willing to throw himself into tackles and injured in a naughty late foul from Evan Ferguson. 6
Wilmot: First start since October. Always willing to challenge and had to stand up in some one-on-one defending. 6
Leris: Was getting involved at both ends until he took a blow in challenge with Estupinan. Only just back from concussion protocol and looked gutted to come off. 6
Johnson: Stuck to his task as emergency left wing-back, keeping the ball and being prepared to be disciplined defensively. 6
Burger: A couple of crashing long rangers worked the keeper and he enjoyed his battle against top players in the middle of midfield. 7
Baker: Second start in a week and a committed performance in central midfield, with a couple of clever passes and fiercely-taken penalty. 7
Junho: Some lovely footwork again to skip around challenges and good vision to pick a pass or two where it counts. 7
Haksabanovic: Back in the starting XI and tried to offer support to Wesley in the final third. A couple of deft touches without being able to really shape game. 6
Wesley: Rare start leading the line and threw his weight around outside the penalty area. Went pretty close with long ranger too. 6
Substitutions
McNally (for Leris, 45): A tough day. Out to slow to block Estupinan equaliser and beaten to two headers for Brighton goals. 5
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