A Knockaert blow for old king Cole
ANTHONY AND LOCADIA GOALS PUT SEAGULLS IN FRONT BEFORE VETERAN ASHLEY GIVES RAMS HOPE WITH FIRST FA CUP GOAL OF HIS GLITTERING CAREER
Button 7; Bruno 7, Duffy 7, Burn 7, Bernardo 7; Bissouma 8 (Gross 85th), Kayal 7, Stephens 7; Knockaert 8, Locadia 8 (Gyokeres 80th), Jahanbakhsh 7
THE first FA Cup goal of Ashley Cole’s career failed to spark another Derby comeback as Brighton booked their place in the quarter-finals.
The seven-time winner, 38, gave the Rams hope when he halved the deficit late on in what was his 49th and – maybe – final appearance in the famous old competition.
But despite some serious pressure from the visitors in the dying moments of the game, Brighton held their nerve.
And goals from Anthony Knockaert and Jurgen Locadia in a dominant first half were enough to see them progress into the last eight.
Derby were dreadful during that first period and, despite only 13 places separating the two sides in the English football pyramid, the gulf in class between the Premier League and Championship was evident.
Boss Frank Lampard said: “In the first half we were slow, we had a lack of urgency. To come to a Premier League team and give them time on the ball was a cardinal sin.
“You’re waiting for them to score and after the first 15 minutes – when I thought
Roos 8; Bogle 6, Keogh 6, Tomori 6, Malone 6 (Cole (46th) 7); Bryson 6, Huddlestone 6, Holmes 5 (Marriott (46th) 6); Waghorn 5, Nugent 5 (Jozefzoon (72nd) 7), Wilson 6 we had decent control of the game, albeit in our own half – we weren’t at the races.
“Whether it’s fear, whether it’s respect, whatever way round it is, it’s not enough to come here and get a result.”
Derby were much better after the break thanks to the introduction of Cole and forward Jack Marriott, as well as a change in system.
And when Cole headed home nine minutes from time they looked like they might haul in a two-goal deficit just as they had against another Premier League side, Southampton, in the third round.
But as Lampard admitted, the first half had made it difficult for them, and Chris Hughton’s men held on to dash any hopes Cole had of claiming an unlikely eighth FA Cup winners’ medal.
Lampard added: “I’m delighted for him because, at 38, he could comfortably kick back.
“But he has a real desire and humility Yves Bissouma D Coote and work ethic, his performance was good and he will get better because of fitness. To be high up the pitch and score with his head was a big surprise but it will give him confidence and we will need him.”
Hughton made eight changes to the side beaten 3-1 by Burnley in Brighton’s last Premier League outing.
One of the new faces, Yves Bissouma, ran the show in the first half.
The Ivory Coast-born Mali midfielder was excellent and he and Knockaert created chances that Kelle Roos had to save as the home side looked to press home their advantage.
Knockaert tested the Derby keeper again soon after as he cut inside on to his left foot and a Brighton goal looked to be coming.
Unsurprisingly, Bissouma was heavily involved when it did – he burst down the right and exchanged passes with Alireza Jahanabakhsh before pulling back to Knockaert, who tucked his effort beyond Roos.
Martyn Waghorn couldn’t connect properly with a volley shortly before half-time and Derby suffered another blow when Bissouma’s good work led to Brighton’s second. This time he hit a post Leicester (A), Feb 26 Millwall (H), Feb 20 with a fine effort and Locadia slotted home from the rebound.
But Locadia’s delight turned to disappointment when he limped off in the second half.
Hughton confirmed he had been sent for a scan to assess the damage.
Asked about Bissouma, the Brighton manager said: “He’s a very talented young player but he’s still adjusting to the game here.
“He has played in Premier League games and he was very good, he showed great quality and these games will all be good for him.”
Derby were better after the break and the introduction of Florian Josefzoon midway through the second half gave them a real lift.
He went down under a challenge from Bernado and – while some Derby players asked for a penalty – Dan Burn scooped the ball in Cole’s direction and he placed a firm header beyond Brighton keeper David Button.
Hughton added: “It was very nervy at the end and the only disappointment we have got is that we made harder work of it.
“But we’re really delighted to go through.”