Ashley Cole nets first ever FA Cup goal but it’s in vain as Derby crash out to Brighton
Seagulls looked home and dry at 2-0 up before substitute Cole headed a late lifeline for the Championship outfit
ANTHONY KNOCKAERT and Jurgen Locadia stepped out of the shadows to fire Brighton into the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Chris Hughton’s team might be in Premier League freefall but they are proving to be an unstoppable force in football’s oldest competition.
The Seagulls boss made eight changes to the team beaten in their last game against Burnley but they still had too much for the Championship promotion hopefuls.
Derby had already seen off Manchester United in the Carabao Cup and Southampton in the FA Cup this season.
But they rarely troubled a Brighton team which have been dragged into a relegation dogfight after taking only six points from their previous 11 League games.
And even Ashley Cole’s late header couldn't knock the Seagulls out of their stride.
French winger Knockaert eased Amex nerves with an ice-cool 33rd minute finish from Yves Bissouma’s inviting low cross to the edge of the area.
It was the kind of goal which used to be the trademark of Derby boss Frank Lampard, who would not have been impressed by the amount of space his defence gave to their opponents.
And he was even less happy with team’s reactions when Locadia put this fifth round tie to bed in first-half stoppage time.
Mali international Bissouma has struggled to justify his club record fee since his £17million summer signing from Lille.
But there was no questioning the quality of his control and vision as he bought himself a yard of space with a delightful first touch before curling a shot against the far post.
Derby’s defence stood rooted to the spot as though they could not believe their luck, allowing Locadia to score a simple tap-in.
That was the signal for Lampard to send on seven-time Cup winner Ashley Cole as a half-time sub in a forlorn bid to spark a response from his players.
And the 38-year-old former England star ensured Brighton were not going to have it all on their way when he headed home in the 81st minute.
But it was to little too late from the disappointing Rams as Brighton booked their place in the quarter-final draw for the second year running.