Ashley Cole scores his first goal in English football since 2012
Sunday 17 February 2019 20:20, UK
Brighton held off a late fightback from Derby to win 2-1 and reach the FA Cup quarter-finals for the second year in a row.
Despite making eight changes, Brighton controlled the first half and scored through Anthony Knockaert and Jurgen Locadia.
Derby eventually responded in the 81st minute when seven-time FA Cup winner Ashley Cole scored his first goal in English football since 2012.
However, Brighton withstood a spell of pressure to reach the last eight.
The win comes as welcome relief for Brighton, who are battling relegation from the Premier League after just one victory in their last 11 matches.
Chris Hughton's team selection suggested Premier League survival was the priority, but Brighton were still much the better side in the first half as Kelle Roos kept out shots from Knockaert and Yves Bissouma.
The deadlock was broken in the 33rd minute when Knockaert ran onto Bissouma's low cross and produced a composed finish into the corner.
Derby finally created an opening in first-half injury-time when Martyn Waghorn shot at David Button from a tight angle, but Brighton replied with a second goal before the break.
Bissouma dragged the ball through Tom Huddlestone's legs and then curled a shot against the far post, with Locadia reacting quickest to tap into the net.
Derby brought on Cole and Jack Marriott at half-time but even though they improved, they created little.
In fact, Roos kept Derby in the tie by tipping a shot from Knockaert past the post and then making a sharp save to deny Bernardo from 10 yards out.
Cole gave the visitors hope when he scored his first FA Cup goal in the 81st minute, heading into the net from Dan Burn's clearance.
But Derby could not force extra-time as Harry Wilson sliced a volley wide and Fikayo Tomori missed the target with a bicycle kick from the penalty spot.
The midfielder produced an assured display and set up both goals for Brighton - the second after a lovely bit of skill to turn away from Huddlestone. He was strong in the middle of the pitch and drove forward with the ball.
On this evidence he should be staking a claim for a regular starting spot.
Chris Hughton: "I am hoping the momentum of this cup run can push us on in our league form. We haven't been that bad in terms of level of performance but the last three games we picked up one point. The most important thing at the moment is getting the points we need."
Frank Lampard: "In the first half we were slow, with a lack of urgency. To come to a Premier League team and give them time on the ball is the cardinal sin, you are waiting for them to score. After the first 15 minutes we weren't at the races. Whether it's fear or too much respect, whatever it is, it's not enough to come here and get a result."
Brighton travel to Leicester in the Premier League on Tuesday, February 26 and then host Huddersfield on Saturday, March 2.
Derby play Millwall in the Championship on Wednesday, live on the red button on Sky Sports, and then face Nottingham Forest, live on Sky Sports, on Monday, February 25.
