Seagulls simply wanted it Mau
BOSS POTTER: WE’RE AIMING FOR CUP RUN
GRAHAM POTTER would love an FA Cup run, so he was happy his Brighton side recovered to beat 10-man West Brom.
The Seagulls have never won the FA Cup and that run looked set to continue when Callum Robinson put the Baggies in front.
But Cedric Kipre was sent off and substitute Jakub Moder equalised before Neal Maupay won the game in extra time.
And although there’s a long way to go, the ninth-placed Premier League side can look forward to today’s fourth round draw.
“We’ll try our best to have a good run,” said Potter.
“It was important for us to go through. I picked a team to win and I’m delighted we have.
“We showed a good attitude and a good mentality and I’m delighted to get through. We knew it would be hard work with West Brom’s quality and style of play.
“We conceded against the run of play from their only chance, but I was pleased with the reaction, and it was a good comeback.”
After just two wins in their last nine games, the Baggies were eager to regain their early season bounce.
One promising early move nearly reached
Robinson in the middle, but for the giant frame of Kjell Scherpen.
The Dutchman was making his Brighton debut, having joined last summer from Ajax for £4.2million.
There was also a first start for the Seagulls for Odel Offiah, a 19-year-old defender and nephew of rugby league legend Martin.
Both sides have struggled for goals and Brighton showed why as they missed two great chances.
First, when Danny Welbeck was played through, his effort was saved as he tried to chip David Button.
Then, right on half-time, Maupay passed up the best chance of the half. He had just seen a 20-yard header drift wide, before missing a one-on-one with Button.
Brighton suffered an injury blow when midfielder Enock Mwepu limped off, clutching his hamstring.
Three minutes after the break, the shock was on for West Brom.
Karlan Grant outpaced Dan Burn and squared for team-mate Robinson to finish beyond Scherpen.
As the hosts tried to hold on to the lead, they were rocked by having Kipre sent off.
Booked for fouling Maupay, another challenge on Leandro Trossard moments later earned him a second yellow.
Shane Duffy should have levelled, but Moder did with a fine finish after arriving late into the box.
The Seagulls sensed their opportunity and it needed Button to prevent Alexis Mac Allister winning it in normal time.
But with the man advantage it needed just eight minutes of extra time to settle the tie.
From Moder’s cross, Trossard dummied and Maupay buried it.
West Brom boss Valerien Ismael viewed Kipre’s red card as the moment everything changed.
Ismael said: “Until the red card, it was a great performance. We showed our identity and our way and we did it perfectly until then.
“We were very strong with 11 men against a Premier League side. With ten, it’s another game.”