Brighton and Hove Albion successfully navigated through the FA Cup third-round challenge on Saturday, rallying to defeat Championship side Stoke City 4-2. The Premier League club faced an early setback when Stoke seized a surprise lead with a Jan Paul Van Hecke own goal in the first half. Brighton responded later in the half with an exceptional goal from Pervis Estupinan.
Entering the second half, Brighton seized the lead with a Lewis Dunk header. Stoke managed to level the score through a Lewis Baker penalty, awarded after Dunk’s handball in the area. However, Brighton’s superior quality became evident in the late stages, with substitute Joao Pedro scoring two goals, securing their place in the fourth round under manager Roberto De Zerbi.
Stoke’s manager, Steven Schumacher, can take pride in his team’s performance and effort against higher-ranked opponents. Despite the loss, Stoke posed significant challenges for Brighton, showing resilience and determination. The victory for Brighton not only avoids a potential upset but also contributes to maintaining the squad’s recent positive momentum.
For De Zerbi, the focus shifts to the upcoming draw for the fourth round as Brighton aims to progress further in the competition. The comeback victory, especially after initially falling behind, provides Brighton with confidence and sets their sights on potential silverware this season, building on their semi-final appearance in the previous year.
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