Report By Samuel Brady
Goals from Yves Bissouma and Steven Alzate saw Brighton edge past League One Blackpool and into the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Brighton had their first real chance just two minutes into the game when defender Lewis Dunk lost his man from a corner but couldn’t keep his header on target.
Blackpool rarely forayed forward but came close when Luke Garbutt’s free kick forced a good save from Brighton keeper Christian Walton, 20 minutes in.
The deadlock was broken by a sublime piece of quality when Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma, struck his 30-yard range shot into the top left corner of the Blackpool goal just shy of the half hour mark.
The Tangerine’s then equalised right on the stroke of half time when Luke Garbutt’s cross was turned in past Walton by striker, Gary Madine.
Brighton continued to orchestrate the game and made their dominance count when Argentine, Alexis MacAllister, saw his speculative shot deflect off the back of Steven Alzate, which caught out Chris Maxwell in the Blackpool goal.
Second half substitute, Neal Maupay, should’ve added a third on 82 minutes when Leandro Trossard’s cross found the Frenchman in acres of space in the penalty area, but he put his effort straight at Maxwell.
The result now means Brighton go through into the fifth round where they will face either Brentford or Leicester City. Blackpool meanwhile will now turn their focus to their next game in League One against Wigan Athletic on Tuesday night.
Sub-edited by Cameron Winstanley
