Does drawing Chelsea in FA Cup change Brighton priorities?
Today at 11:47 AM
In a week when Brighton returned to winning ways in comprehensive and welcome fashion, there was only one thing potentially taking the edge off renewed optimism amongst some Albion fans – drawing Chelsea in the FA Cup.
After dismantling Championship side Norwich City 4-0 at Carrow Road, many were hoping for another tie against Football League opposition.
The fifth round might then beckon. And who knows what next? Back to Wembley for the third time in six years. Maybe even winning the FA Cup this time. Which brings with it qualification for Europe.
As sides like Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest put together a string of wins whilst Brighton had more draw(er)s than someone just back from IKEA, the FA Cup looked a more achievable route to the Europa League than a fifth or sixth place finish.
But then Brighton were paired with Chelsea in the FA Cup. Fourth in the Premier League. In consistent form for much of the season, including on our visit to Stamford Bridge at the end of September.
The Fabian Hurzeler honeymoon period was still very real when the Blues burst the bubble. Cole Palmer scored four first half goals, meaning the game was over before the break.
Chelsea is arguably the worst ball Brighton could have drawn out of that FA Cup bowl, other than Liverpool.
None of this is to say the Blues are unbeatable, however. Their past eight games have seen them held by Everton, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.
And beaten by Ipswich Town. Ipswich of course being the side the Albion beat to end a run of eight Premier League matches without victory.
That run seems a long time ago now. Three wins, nine goals, two clean sheets, six points and safe passage in the FA Cup over eight days will do that.
But is the upturn in results, performances and confidence enough to help Brighton challenge in both league and FA Cup?
Or should Hurzeler – still plagued by more injuries than an A&E doctor on a bank holiday weekend – focus on one at the expense of the other?
Somewhat frustratingly, those wins at Portman Road and Old Trafford have resulted in little league table uplift. The Albion remain one place and point point above 10th, where they began.
On the other hand, the gap to Manchester City and Newcastle in fifth and sixth places respectively is only four points.
City are due to face judgement in March on those 115 charges of failing to provide accurate financial information to the Premier League over a nine year period, plus breaches of UEFA Financial Fair Play rules.
Any points deduction as a result would at the very least take them out of the European qualification places, putting the Albion one step closer.
City can of course appeal, which may or may not mean the sanction is delayed. They are almost certain to do so, seeing as Abu Dhabi have unlimited money to throw at overturning any guilty verdicts or punishments.
More likely than City being out of the European equation is that the Premier League gets an extra spot in UEFA competitions for 2025-26, on account of how well England’s current representatives are performing this season.
So, it is possible that even a seventh or eighth place finish could earn a Europa League or Conference place if some of the above comes to pass.
One way or another, we will know whether the Albion are still focussing on Premier League, FA Cup or both on Saturday 8th February. Hopefully before 11pm and without penalties taking the 8pm kick off time to a godforsaken finishing hour. Enjoy those trains, everyone…
We will also know before Brighton face Chelsea in the FA Cup whether Julio Enciso and Evan Ferguson have departed. And whether a centre back like Eiran Cashin has been brought in to cover for the unfortunate and brilliant Igor Julio.
Hopefully, we should have some idea of the impact new signing Diego Gomez might make. Gomez made his very brief debut in the stripes at Old Trafford in the dying moments of injury time.
Even given the ongoing injury issues, I hope the squad is capable of sustaining a challenge in both the FA Cup and Premier League.
The return of Jack Hinshelwood will be a boost, so too would the return of Ferdi Kadioglu if the earlier reports of him being out for the rest of the season prove overly pessimistic.
Contributions from James Milner seem likely to remain limited to the dressing room and training ground it seems.
Most of the sides above Brighton in the table will have European games to contend with. We know only too well the toll that can take when Spring aways.
The Premier League meanwhile will continue to throw up unpredictable results and closer games in the second half of the season. The Albion have been far from the only side who have run into difficulties with sides in the relegation battle.
Everton under David Moyes will not be an easy game this Saturday. I would not be surprised if we are brought back down to Earth with a bump.
The Toffees are revived under their new/former manager and are not going to down to the Championship without a fight.
Neither the top eight or FA Cup route to Europe is easy. But both remain possible. Even with the tough fourth round draw and the current mid table league position.
Our performance at Manchester United shows that we still have a fighting chance of a top six finish and Wembley glory over the next four months.
There is literally everything to play for.
Warren Morgan@WarrenBHAFC
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