IRELAND STRIKER EVAN Ferguson scored the only goal of the game for Brighton in the FA Cup tonight as they booked their place in the quarter-finals.
Ferguson’s finish in the 30th minute, after Kaoru Mitoma created the opening, put Brighton ahead 1-0 at half-time of their fifth round tie against Stoke City and it transpired to be the match-winner.
The strike is Ferguson’s fifth of the season in Brighton colours, an EFL Cup strike last August followed up by a Premier League breakthrough against Arsenal on New Year’s Eve, and further goals in January against Everton and Leicester City.
After suffering an injury setback in the fourth round against Liverpool, Ferguson’s return is a major personal boost and one for Stephen Kenny ahead of Ireland’s double-bill of games in late March against Latvia, a friendly, and France, as the Euro qualifiers begin.
The host went close to equalising after the break through on-loan Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe, before Brighton substitute Danny Welbeck hit the post in stoppage-time as the visitors claimed a last-eight spot for the third time in six seasons.
Ten days on from their last match, the 1-0 Premier League loss to Fulham, boss Roberto De Zerbi made five changes to his starting line-up, with Ferguson one of two 18-year-olds in the side.
The other was Argentinian midfielder Facundo Buonanotte, making his first start since joining the club in January, while skipper Lewis Dunk retained his place for a 400th Brighton appearance.
Potters forward Tyrese Campbell registered the contest’s opening attempt in the fifth minute when he cut in from the right and saw Jason Steele block his shot.
Stoke threatened again in the 29th minute with a low Campbell strike that Steele got down to save but Brighton had been dominating possession and a minute later they were in front as Kaoru Mitoma ran on to Dunk’s excellent through-ball and laid a delightful pass of his own to Ferguson, who tapped in.
Mitoma looked likely to double Brighton’s advantage on 73 minutes but his shot ended up in the side-netting.
Having weathered some Stoke pressure, the visitors then nearly added a second late on, with Welbeck seeing one shot saved by Bonham and another come back off the post.
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Evan Ferguson goal sinks Stoke and carries Seagulls into last eight of FA Cup
LAST UPDATE | 28 Feb 2023
IRELAND STRIKER EVAN Ferguson scored the only goal of the game for Brighton in the FA Cup tonight as they booked their place in the quarter-finals.
Ferguson’s finish in the 30th minute, after Kaoru Mitoma created the opening, put Brighton ahead 1-0 at half-time of their fifth round tie against Stoke City and it transpired to be the match-winner.
The strike is Ferguson’s fifth of the season in Brighton colours, an EFL Cup strike last August followed up by a Premier League breakthrough against Arsenal on New Year’s Eve, and further goals in January against Everton and Leicester City.
After suffering an injury setback in the fourth round against Liverpool, Ferguson’s return is a major personal boost and one for Stephen Kenny ahead of Ireland’s double-bill of games in late March against Latvia, a friendly, and France, as the Euro qualifiers begin.
The host went close to equalising after the break through on-loan Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe, before Brighton substitute Danny Welbeck hit the post in stoppage-time as the visitors claimed a last-eight spot for the third time in six seasons.
Ten days on from their last match, the 1-0 Premier League loss to Fulham, boss Roberto De Zerbi made five changes to his starting line-up, with Ferguson one of two 18-year-olds in the side.
The other was Argentinian midfielder Facundo Buonanotte, making his first start since joining the club in January, while skipper Lewis Dunk retained his place for a 400th Brighton appearance.
Potters forward Tyrese Campbell registered the contest’s opening attempt in the fifth minute when he cut in from the right and saw Jason Steele block his shot.
Stoke threatened again in the 29th minute with a low Campbell strike that Steele got down to save but Brighton had been dominating possession and a minute later they were in front as Kaoru Mitoma ran on to Dunk’s excellent through-ball and laid a delightful pass of his own to Ferguson, who tapped in.
Mitoma looked likely to double Brighton’s advantage on 73 minutes but his shot ended up in the side-netting.
Having weathered some Stoke pressure, the visitors then nearly added a second late on, with Welbeck seeing one shot saved by Bonham and another come back off the post.
- Additional reporting by PA
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