Man of Harveys
Well-known member
If you weren't proud enough already; a brilliant write-up in the Telegraph. I think he means 'blue and white stripes' in the bit about Wembley but I'd forgive this guy anything:
Brighton and Hove Albion 1 Newcastle United 0: match report - Telegraph
Brighton and Hove Albion 1 Newcastle United 0: match report
Hove into view: Will Buckley wheels away in triumph after his shot is steered into Newcastle's net by Michael Williamson Photo: GETTY IMAGES
By Jonatham Liew, at the Amex Stadium7:15PM GMT 28 Jan 20121
Falmer has its first footballing fairytale as Will Buckley's shot, deflected into his own net by Mike Williamson, puts Brighton into Sunday’s draw for the fifth round of the FA Cup.
The historians and numerologists will have noted that in 1983, Brighton’s annus mirabilis, the year when they reached the Cup final – their campaign began by with an elimination of Newcastle.
A new generation, a new home and a new hero later, the road to Wembley is once again painted in black and white stripes.
It was a victory they can attribute to guts, to graft, and in no small part to skill too. They neither outclassed nor were outclassed by their Premier League opponents.
But inspired by the brilliant Liam Bridcutt, by the tireless Craig Mackail-Smith and the thrilling Buckley, they took their chance when it counted.
This fabulous new stadium was in fine voice throughout, betraying on the part of Brighton’s fans not just a will to win, but a deep yearning to prove themselves worthy of this company, of the millions watching on television around the world.
Like many of the teams that make up football’s nouveau riche, they want not just to succeed, but to belong; not just to compete, but to entertain.
And in Gus Poyet, they have a manager who plays not just for victory, but for glory.
Brighton’s attractive passing style has rightfully won them plaudits throughout the game, but they were not averse to knocking the ball over the top to target-man Mackail-Smith once in a while, or going in for a spicy tackle, as Matt Sparrow did on Jonás Gutiérrez, drawing a piqued glare from the Argentine.
There is a nuance to Brighton’s game these days that was perhaps missing during those heady early weeks of the season, when they briefly led the Championship before teams worked out how to play against them.
They have more cards in their hand, such as the lofted ball down the flank that Inigo Calderón used to release Buckley. The lithe Buckley shrugged off Davide Santon’s challenge like an overcoat; his cross was by smothered by Tim Krul.
Or the lightning break by Sparrow and Ashley Barnes that led to a snatched shot from 20 yards for Mackail-Smith. Newcastle, meanwhile, went into the break ruing three missed chances by Leon Best.
First he brought down Hatem Ben Arfa’s sumptuous long ball but dragged his shot just wide from inside the area.
Next he headed over from eight yards after Shola Ameobi, standing in as captain for Fabricio Coloccini, had headed Danny Simpson’s deep cross back across goal.
Finally, he cut in from the right channel and unleashed a fierce shot that was saved by Peter Brezovan.
Ben Arfa once again turned in a curate’s egg of a performance. He still seems content to squander possession three times before using it wisely the fourth.
Here he presented the ball to Mackail-Smith, who took the ball closer to goal before seeing his shot deflected behind. But by and large, Brighton produced little in the first half to whiten Alan Pardew’s few remaining dark hairs.
And so to the second, in which tempers flared as the tension rose, as Newcastle increasingly pressed their hosts back. Mackail-Smith played his 10th consecutive game without a goal, but put in a sterling shift as an often isolated striker.
Brighton were reprieved again. Best tried to curl a shot past Brezovan but was denied by a fine low save. As Brighton struggled to clear the danger, Danny Guthrie’s shot whistled just over the bar.
Moments later, Brezovan produced another impressive display of reflexes as Ameobi’s turn and shot scuttled through a sea of bodies.
If Brighton were to create a winner, it was going to be on the break. Mackail-Smith’s swerving, left-footed shot from 18 yards saved by Krul, was a warning. Buckley provided the punishment 14 minutes from time.
Picking the pocket of the otherwise excellent Danny Simpson on the halfway line and haring down the left-wing, he teased Santon before launching a fierce left-footed shot.
It deflected off Williamson, bobbled up and floated past Krul’s despairing left hand. Brighton have undertaken the journey of their lives under the guidance of their energetic young manager.
It is a journey as yet unfinished, but as the full-time whistle was received with roars that will echo up and down the south coast, one thing was clear: in Gus they trust.
Brighton and Hove Albion 1 Newcastle United 0: match report - Telegraph
Brighton and Hove Albion 1 Newcastle United 0: match report
Hove into view: Will Buckley wheels away in triumph after his shot is steered into Newcastle's net by Michael Williamson Photo: GETTY IMAGES
By Jonatham Liew, at the Amex Stadium7:15PM GMT 28 Jan 20121
Falmer has its first footballing fairytale as Will Buckley's shot, deflected into his own net by Mike Williamson, puts Brighton into Sunday’s draw for the fifth round of the FA Cup.
The historians and numerologists will have noted that in 1983, Brighton’s annus mirabilis, the year when they reached the Cup final – their campaign began by with an elimination of Newcastle.
A new generation, a new home and a new hero later, the road to Wembley is once again painted in black and white stripes.
It was a victory they can attribute to guts, to graft, and in no small part to skill too. They neither outclassed nor were outclassed by their Premier League opponents.
But inspired by the brilliant Liam Bridcutt, by the tireless Craig Mackail-Smith and the thrilling Buckley, they took their chance when it counted.
This fabulous new stadium was in fine voice throughout, betraying on the part of Brighton’s fans not just a will to win, but a deep yearning to prove themselves worthy of this company, of the millions watching on television around the world.
Like many of the teams that make up football’s nouveau riche, they want not just to succeed, but to belong; not just to compete, but to entertain.
And in Gus Poyet, they have a manager who plays not just for victory, but for glory.
Brighton’s attractive passing style has rightfully won them plaudits throughout the game, but they were not averse to knocking the ball over the top to target-man Mackail-Smith once in a while, or going in for a spicy tackle, as Matt Sparrow did on Jonás Gutiérrez, drawing a piqued glare from the Argentine.
There is a nuance to Brighton’s game these days that was perhaps missing during those heady early weeks of the season, when they briefly led the Championship before teams worked out how to play against them.
They have more cards in their hand, such as the lofted ball down the flank that Inigo Calderón used to release Buckley. The lithe Buckley shrugged off Davide Santon’s challenge like an overcoat; his cross was by smothered by Tim Krul.
Or the lightning break by Sparrow and Ashley Barnes that led to a snatched shot from 20 yards for Mackail-Smith. Newcastle, meanwhile, went into the break ruing three missed chances by Leon Best.
First he brought down Hatem Ben Arfa’s sumptuous long ball but dragged his shot just wide from inside the area.
Next he headed over from eight yards after Shola Ameobi, standing in as captain for Fabricio Coloccini, had headed Danny Simpson’s deep cross back across goal.
Finally, he cut in from the right channel and unleashed a fierce shot that was saved by Peter Brezovan.
Ben Arfa once again turned in a curate’s egg of a performance. He still seems content to squander possession three times before using it wisely the fourth.
Here he presented the ball to Mackail-Smith, who took the ball closer to goal before seeing his shot deflected behind. But by and large, Brighton produced little in the first half to whiten Alan Pardew’s few remaining dark hairs.
And so to the second, in which tempers flared as the tension rose, as Newcastle increasingly pressed their hosts back. Mackail-Smith played his 10th consecutive game without a goal, but put in a sterling shift as an often isolated striker.
Brighton were reprieved again. Best tried to curl a shot past Brezovan but was denied by a fine low save. As Brighton struggled to clear the danger, Danny Guthrie’s shot whistled just over the bar.
Moments later, Brezovan produced another impressive display of reflexes as Ameobi’s turn and shot scuttled through a sea of bodies.
If Brighton were to create a winner, it was going to be on the break. Mackail-Smith’s swerving, left-footed shot from 18 yards saved by Krul, was a warning. Buckley provided the punishment 14 minutes from time.
Picking the pocket of the otherwise excellent Danny Simpson on the halfway line and haring down the left-wing, he teased Santon before launching a fierce left-footed shot.
It deflected off Williamson, bobbled up and floated past Krul’s despairing left hand. Brighton have undertaken the journey of their lives under the guidance of their energetic young manager.
It is a journey as yet unfinished, but as the full-time whistle was received with roars that will echo up and down the south coast, one thing was clear: in Gus they trust.
