Old king Cole too late with his goal
Seven-time winner breaks Cup-scoring duck but Brighton reach last eight
NOT even a first-ever goal in the competition from ‘Mr FA Cup’ could see Frank Lampard’s Derby County through to their first quarter-finals since 1999.
Ashley Cole has lifted the trophy a record seven times in his career but had never scored. The 38-yearold righted that wrong when he set up a grandstand finale with nine minutes remaining.
A fine finish it was from Cole too, but the equaliser failed to follow.
Brighton held on, ensuring they would not become the first Premier League scalp of the Cup weekend.
Anyone attempting to count the amount of times Lampard, hands in pockets, turned and scuffed the turf in frustration would need to take their socks and shoes off.
This was one of those games for the 40-year-old coach. Not much went Derby’s way at the Amex Stadium and Lampard believed it was the Rams’ own fault.
‘To come to a Premier League team and give them time on the ball is a cardinal sin,’ he said.
‘You’re waiting for them to score. In the first half, we were slow, there was a lack of urgency.
‘We weren’t at the races. Whether it was fear or respect, whatever way around it was, it is not enough to come here and get a result. The message was clear before – come here confident.’
On his half-time words with the players, he said: ‘Two-and-a-half thousand Derby fans travelled down. Will we go out with a whimper? Or are we going to have a go? I was very clear on that.’
His opposite number, Chris Hughton can now look forward to the draw tomorrow.
He said: ‘I’m delighted to go through for the team, for the club. What everybody in my position would be after is a home tie.’
Anthony Knockaert and Jurgen Locadia scored the Brighton goals before Cole’s late intervention. Winger Knockaert was named Championship Player of the Year the season Brighton won promotion to the Premier League. But he is no longer a starter in the top flight under Hughton.
Cup games are an opportunity for the 27-year-old to issue a reminder of his talent. He did that, often dribbling around Derby’s defence like a slalom skier. When Harry Wilson was cautioned for a high challenge on Beram Kayal, we had a pause in play. Not because of an injury, but because VAR suspected he should see red.
When referee David Coote was told a yellow would suffice, boos rang around the stadium. It was all a little pantomime and VAR was derided by the home supporters.
A few Brighton fans saw Hughton’s altered line-up as a white flag being waved. Eight changes, with Shane Duffy, Dale Stephens and Locadia the only survivors from their last game, left them fearing the worst.
Yet Knockaert was a handful and got his goal after 33 minutes. Yves Bissouma’s cross found the Frenchman, who tidily tucked into the bottom corner beyond Kelle Roos.
Derby had been disappointing. They went into this unbeaten in their last six matches but found themselves 2-0 down before the break. Bissouma beat his man, curled a shot towards the far corner and rattled the post. Locadia was quickest to react and tapped in.
The upside for Lampard was all five of Derby’s FA Cup goals this season had come in the second half, with their last three scored in the final 15 minutes.
So they had time to get back into the game. A headed clearance from Duffy denied Wilson when he blasted a half-volley towards goal. Cole came on at half-time to make
his first FA Cup appearance since January 2014.
He looked in good nick on the left side, where Brighton’s own veteran right back Bruno, also 38, was also on patrol. You will struggle to find an older battle between full backs.
The former Arsenal and Chelsea defender utilised his experience for Derby’s goal, heading beyond David Button from a tight angle after a failed clearance. It turned out to be a consolation. ‘I was slightly surprised with the goal,’ said Lampard. ‘I’m delighted for him because, at 38, he could comfortably kick back but he has a real desire and humility.
‘He has been a machine all his career. If you look at him he is as lean as anybody.’
Indeed he is, and Cole will be useful for Lampard as he switches his focus back towards securing promotion to the Premier League. It is 20 years ago next month since Derby last reached the last eight. And thanks to a professional performance by Brighton, Lampard will not be partying like it is 1999. Not in the Cup, anyway.