Pedro keeps his head to rescue Brighton
JOAO PEDRO has to be under consideration for signing of the season after a finishing masterclass dug Brighton out of a sticky spot.
The 22-year-old Brazil international cost the Seagulls £30million from Watford — less than half what Manchester United paid for Rasmus Hojlund.
Yesterday’s match-winning double took his goal tally to 15 after Championship Stoke had taken the lead and were threatening an upset at 2-2 with 19 minutes left.
Then Pedro hung in the air to head home Pascal Gross’ cross after 71 minutes. Nine minutes later he turned fox-in-the-box to slide in and convert Paul van Hecke’s cutback.
If he keeps it up, Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi could match last year’s run to the semi-finals which ended on penalties against Manchester United.
Even so, the Italian is a hard man to please and wants more from his in-form striker.
‘I would like to him to start the game at the beginning, not after 20 minutes or in the second-half,’ remarked De Zerbi.
‘I love Joao and know his potential. For Brighton, this level of performance is enough, but I think he can reach a higher level. He has to push.
‘The credit for him being here has to go to the recruitment department. I didn’t know him when they first mentioned his name.’
For Stoke, languishing 19th in the Championship, it was a wake-up call but nevertheless a spirited showing for their new manager Steven Schumacher.
‘We showed character. Conceding the equaliser on the stroke of halftime could have knocked the windout of our sails but it didn’t.’
The home side took the lead after 16 minutes. Pedro failed to win the ball and goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen missed Bae Jun-Ho’s cross.
Facing his own goal, Van Hecke was caught in two minds as the ball hit him and rolled gently over the line.
Stoke lost winger Mehdi Leris, only just back from concussion, after medics erred on the side of caution and he left the pitch after a collision with Pervis Estupinan. And it was Estupinan who put Brighton level in first-half injurytime with a worldie.
The Ecuadorian celebrated his comebackwith a stunning strike against Tottenham on December 28 and matched it again.
The ball bounced to the defender outside the area and he connected brilliantly with the outside of his left foot so it swerved away from ‘keeper Daniel Iversen, making his debut after signing on loan from Leicester. Seagulls skipper Lewis Dunk powered in a far post header after 52 minutes to put the visitors ahead for the first time but then undid it by handling in the box, allowing Lewis Baker to equalise from the spot.
This time, Brighton responded more quickly. Gross had a cross blocked but floated an excellent delivery at the second attempt and Pedro climbed high to head home.
His encore arrived when Van Hecke set him up on the counter. It was a nice ending for the young Dutch defender after his earlier error and he stayed out after the finish to celebrate with Albion’s travelling fans.