Evan Ferguson’s 30th minute strike saw Brighton scrape past Stoke City 1-0 at BET365 Stadium to reach the Quarter-Finals of 2022-23 FA Cup.
Ferguson rifled in from close-range as he pounced upon a 30th minute square-ball pass from Kaoru Mitoma, on a quick attack from Lewis Dunk’s long through ball which ultimately won Brighton a Quarter-Final spot.
Roberto De Zerbi’s Seagulls though wasted a host of chances with Moises Caicedo and Pascal Gross amongst players who lacked the final touch on their shots in a scrappy contest.
Stoke’s best chance fell in the 64th minute as Axel Tuanzebe headed a free-kick wide across the face of goal, as Alex Neil’s Potters exited the FA Cup.
Brighton will now feature in the Quarter-Final draw which takes place during BBC One’s coverage of Sheffield United’s clash against Tottenham on Wednesday 1 March from 7:30pm GMT.
From the first whistle, Brighton adopted a strong possession-based press whilst Stoke instantly deployed a high-paced counter-attack style, as the hosts quickly set about defensively frustrating the Seagulls.
Stoke’s instant strategy almost reaped early awards after just five minutes Tyrese Campbell was allowed to sprint up the right and cut in beyond Dunk, only for Jason Steele to block his shot.
Brighton immediately responded a minute later as Tariq Lamptey teed up 18 year-old Facundo Bounanotte, but the Argentinean’s header was deflected wide of the near-right corner, from which Jon Paul van Hecke headed the consequential corner over the bar.
Both teams otherwise found themselves blocking each other’s attacks for much of the opening half hour, until Campbell intercepted a sloppy 29th minute pass but his shot was saved by Steele.
Brighton benefitted from that let-off a minute later as Dunk played a long through ball up the defence towards Mitoma, who squared across for Ferguson to roll the ball into the empty net to put the Seagulls ahead.
Stoke almost instantly responded two minutes later as Josh Tymon pounced upon Lewis Baker’s lay-off pass but rifled over the bar.
Caicedo attempted to double Brighton’s lead in the 41st minute but dragged his shot wide, whilst Stoke continued to chase an equaliser as Jordan Thompson’s curled 44th minute shot was punched away from the left corner by Steele.
Brighton though clung on to protect their narrow lead into half-time, in a positive omen after winning each of their seven matches this season in which they led at the break.
Just like early in the first-half, Stoke enjoyed the better chances on the restart as they won a 47th minute free-kick, which was cleared before Baker was booked a minute later for a reckless tackle on Caicedo.
Brighton’s first chance meanwhile fell to Gross who intercepted Ben Wilmot’s clearance of Mitoma’s floating short cross into the box, although he was only able to rifle wide across goal.
Roberto De Zerbi’s Seagulls continued to stay on top as Caicedo played a 59th minute reverse pass into the box, yet Sarmiento could only fire wide on the side-turn towards left corner.
Stoke however refused to relent as they won a 64th minute free kick after Gross fouled Jacob Brown up the left flank, from which Axel Tuanzebe headed wide across the face of goal.
Tyrese Campbell seven minutes later broke forward at speed up the right but collided with Lamptey as he cut in, which meant that his shot quickly was deflected and cleared.
Brighton substitute, Danny Welbeck on return from injury wasted two late chances which included an injury-time strike that smashed off the right post.
Brighton nevertheless clung on like they did at the end of the first half and are now through to the Quarter-Finals, for the first time since 2018-19 season where they lost to Manchester City in the semi-finals that campaign.
Elsewhere
Goals from Tyrhys Dolan and Sammie Szmodics saw Championship promotion hopefuls, Blackburn eliminate 2020-21 winners Leicester City with a 2-1 win at the King Power Stadium, despite Kelechi Iheanacho’s consolatory strike offering the Foxes late hope of a futile comeback attempt.
Manor Solomon netted for the fourth consecutive match in all competitions as Fulham comfortably defeated Leeds at Craven Cottage, in which Joao Palhinha opened the scoring with a 30-yard curled finish in the 21st minute.
Phil Foden’s brace and Kevin de Bruyne’s 25-yard strike saw Manchester City cruise past Bristol City in a 3-0 away victory at Ashton Gate.
What’s Next?
Stoke are back in Sky Bet Championship action on Saturday 4 March in a 3pm GMT kick-off, as they visit Alex Neil’s former club – Sunderland who he had been manager at since February 2022 until the Potters poached him just six months later.
Brighton will return to their top-four challenge in the Premier League at the same time, as they host relegation battling West Ham at the AMEX Stadium.
Teams
Stoke: Jack Bonham, Dujon Sterling (Clucas 68′), Axel Tuanzebe (Taylor 76′), Ben Wilmot, Ki-Jana Hoever, Lewis Baker, Jordan Thompson, Josh Laurent (Smallbone 45′), Tyrese Campbell (Celina 76′), Jacob Brown (Lowe 83′), Josh Tymon
Substitutes: Morgan Fox, Sam Clucas, Dwight Gayle, Will Smallbone, Bersant Celina, Connor Taylor, Frank Fielding, Nathan Lowe, Kahrel Azariah Reddin
Brighton: Jason Steele, Tariq Lamptey, Lewis Dunk, Jon Paul van Hecke, Pascal Gross, Moises Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister, Jeremy Sarmiento (Welbeck 78′), Facundo Buonanotte (Veltman 69′), Kaoru Mitoma (Enciso 75′), Evan Ferguson (Undav 69′)
Substitutes: Robert Sanchez, Adam Webster, Danny Welbeck, Julio Enciso, Deniz Undav, Joel Veltman, Tom McGill, Andrew Moran, Jack Hinshelwood
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