Brighton tame Derby to enter last-8
LONDON: Brighton moved into the FA Cup quarter-finals for the second successive season as goals from Anthony Knockaert and Jurgen Locadia clinched a 2-1 win over Derby on Saturday.
Chris Hughton’s side have been sucked into relegation danger in the Premier League after six games without a win.
But the Seagulls made the most of a welcome break from the grind of the relegation battle as they saw off Frank Lampard’s Championship side at the Amex Stadium. Derby had claimed the scalps of Manchester United and Southampton in domestic cup competitions this season.
But the fifth round tie was tipped in Brighton’s favour by a dominant first-half display.
Brighton opened the scoring after 33 minutes when Knockaert bent his first-time shot into the bottom corner of Kelle Roos’ net after connecting with Yves Bissouma’s cross.
Hughton’s team doubled their advantage when Locadia fired home from close-range in firsthalf stoppage time after Bissouma’s effort hit the post.
Former Chelsea and Arsenal star Ashley Cole set up a tense finish when the Derby defender headed in after 81 minutes.
It was the 38-year-old’s first goal in England since 2012 and his first ever in the FA Cup and the landmark strike came in his second game since joining Derby.
WATFORD ADVANCE INTO QUARTER-FINALS
LONDON: Etienne Capoue’s goal in first-half stoppage time was enough to give Watford a 1-0 win away to Queens Park Rangers on Friday that saw the Hornets into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
Both sides had opportunities in an even opening period that belied the fact that Watford are eighth in the Premier League and QPR 18th in the second-tier Championship following a run of five straight league defeats.
“I enjoyed the goal,” Capoue told BT Sport. “It was teamwork. We worked all the way through the game. We are so proud.
“Everyone is on the same page. The players give everything and they showed today what they can give on the pitch.”
Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes marked his 38th birthday with several fine saves at Loftus Road as QPR’S Matt Smith and Nahki Wells both went close for the west London club.