5 STAR PEDRO
Sky is the limit for Seagulls after Brazil ace’s hat-trick
SOUTH Yorkshire is no substitute for South America; a bitterly cold afternoon at downtown Bramall Lane cannot compare to the beaches of Brazil.
But after Joao Pedro’s hat-trick, following a stunning opener from Argentinian teenager Facundo Buonanotte, the possibilities for Roberto De Zerbi’s men now seem endless.
Seventh in the Premier League, through to the last 16 of the Europa League and now in the FA Cup fifth round, Brighton are on the march.
They were made to work for victory here, though, as Sheffield United displayed admirable fight and spirit to come back from two goals down to level the score before the break.
But the Seagulls, who reached the FA Cup semi-finals last season but lost on penalties to Manchester United, showed their class and were not to be denied.
Brazil international Pedro, 22, scored twice more to take his season tally to 18 and substitute Danny Welbeck put the gloss on the victory with a late fifth.
The demanding De Zerbi said: ‘I think Joao can get even better.
‘He did well but there is plenty more to come and improvements he can make — the same goes for all of us. At this moment in time, all I’m thinking about is getting the best out of us and all of my players.”
Argentina international Buonanotte opened the scoring with an exquisite goal in the 14th minute, firing left-footed into the top corner from 25 yards.
It became 2-0 when Jayden Bogle felled Pedro and the £30million summer signing from Watford fired home from the penalty spot.
But manager Chris Wilder has given United some much-needed steel since returning to the club and they replied in the 44th minute when Gustavo Hamer lashed home a left-foot shot from close range.
Towards the end of eight added first-half minutes, Will Osula was on hand to head home a right-wing cross from Bogle.
Brighton regained control after the break when Bogle handled in the penalty area and Pedro scored from the spot for his hat-trick.
He showed his class again with a superb low right-foot shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards to confirm the Seagulls’ fifth-round spot.
There was still time for Welbeck to finish clinically late on, rifling in a low right-foot shot in front of the 3,000 travelling supporters.
De Zerbi, though, pointed to the goals his men conceded, adding: ‘We are happy to go through but sad because of the goals we let in.
‘If we want to compete at a high level, we can’t let ones in like we did. We did well for periods. But, like I say, I don’t like seeing things go in against us.
‘That is an area we have to work hard at, because we made a couple of mistakes and that might have meant we did not get what we deserve.’
Wilder must now ready his men for a Premier League game at Crystal Palace on Tuesday. The Blades boss, who handed a debut to new goalkeeper Ivo Grbic, said: ‘Better teams than us have struggled against them but, for me, we conceded some really poor goals.
‘There were certain situations which led to the goals. We showed character and personality, which we always do. But they make more passes than anyone in the Premier League and probably abroad.’
SHEFFIELD UNITED (3-4-3): Grbic 6; Trusty 5.5, Ahmedhodzic 6, Norrington-Davies 6.5 (Larouci 6, 6); Bogle 6, Norwood 6, Hamer 6.5 (Souza 76), Osborn 6 (Brooks 64, 6); Osula 7 (McBurnie 63, 6), Brereton-Diaz 7 (McAtee 63, 6), Archer 6. Booked: Hamer, Norwood. Subs (not used): Foderingham, Robinson, Souza, Larouci, McAtee, Brooks.
BRIGHTON (3-4-2-1): Verbruggen 6; Webster 6.5, Van Hecke 6, Igor 6 (Dunk 62, 7); Hinshelwood 6.5 (Lallana 72, 6), Gross 6, Gilmour 6 (Baleba 84, 6), Estupinan 6; Buonanotte 7.5 (Lamptey 72, 6), Joao Pedro 8; Ferguson 7.5 (Welbeck 62, 6.5). Booked: Webster. Subs (not used): Steele, Milner, Moder, Baker-Boaitey.
Referee: S S Gill (Staffordshire) 6.