It’s all smiles better for Ali
ALIREZA JAHANBAKHSH wants to stop crying and start smiling when he scores for Brighton – starting against Sheffield Wednesday today.
The Iranian winger wept when he scored his first Albion goal against Bournemouth last week, 18 long months after signing for £17m from AZ Alkmaar.
And he was at it again with a stunning overhead kick at the Amex to earn a 1-1 draw with Chelsea on New Year’s Day.
Now the 26-year-old wants to forget about the tough times since he arrived in England and start enjoying it.
“It was the first time I had such a reaction,” he said, talking about his breakthrough goal.
“At that moment I was really emotional because it was a relief for me. I was waiting a long time to score my first goal.
“I can’t promise but I hope it won’t happen again, that I get so emotional. You want to come up with a different celebration, do it with a smile on your face.”
His stunning goal against Chelsea has made him an even bigger star in his home country, with many people comparing it to Wayne Rooney’s legendary overhead kick against Manchester City in 2011.
“The Rooney goal I’ve looked at a thousand times,” said Jahanbakhsh.
“Even now if I watch it back, it gives me a great feeling.
“Rooney’s one was directly from a cross.
“With mine, I was thinking, ‘Hit it as hard as you can.’
“But the ball was behind me so a bicycle kick was my only option.
“Luckily it went in a good direction.”
Brighton face a Sheffield Wednesday side whose manager Garry Monk has played down talk that teams undervalue the FA Cup.
Monk, whose side will be playing their fifth game in just 14 days, said: “I love the FA Cup, I grew up on it.
“There’s a lot of talk about why teams change their players but this round in particular falls at a time, especially in the Championship, of so many games.
“You have to keep that in mind.”