HUGHTON’S HOPING TO SEE REPEAT
CHRIS HUGHTON will watch a rerun of his most successful FA Cup trip to Old Trafford ahead of tonight’s quarter-final.
Hughton’s Brighton side finally have the chance to avenge the club’s narrow defeat by Manchester United in the 1983 final.
The Seagulls boss will draw inspiration from a rare success at United when he was a Tottenham player in 1980.
Spurs won a dramatic replay thanks to an Ossie Ardiles winner three minutes from the end of extra-time – after midfielder Glenn Hoddle had been forced to go in goal.
Hughton would happily take a repeat, although he would settle for a little less drama this time around.
He said: “Milija Aleksic, our goalkeeper, got knocked out. Glenn Hoddle went in goal and we ended up winning 1-0. What you have to remember then is we would have had only one sub at that time.
“I would take that again, although I’m not so sure about somebody going in goal.
“I don’t know about showing the players the video of that game. I’ll have a look at it myself though.”
Brighton’s recent form means the pressure has eased in their Premier League relegation battle.
And Hughton believes there is no reason why his side cannot combine survival with cup success.
He said: “We will have to have a very good day and United not such a good day to get anything from the game.
“That’s why we’re here and that’s why we’ve got to this stage.
“It’s by no fluke or coincidence that we’ve got to this stage of the competition and once we’re here, we want to give it our best shot.”