Chris Hughton is hoping Brighton’s run in the FA Cup can help push them further up the Premier League table. Derby defender Ashley Cole scored his first goal in England in more than six years but Brighton held on to secure a 2-1 FA Cup fifth round victory.
Cole, on as a second-half substitute as he continues to build his match fitness, headed home in the 81st minute to score for the first time in his homeland since September 2012.
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But it was ultimately in vain as Anthony Knockaert’s opener after 33 minutes and Jurgen Locadia’s strike in added-on time in the first half secured Brighton’s place in the quarter-finals for the second successive season.
Hughton was pleased with the win and hopes it will give his players a boost as they look to improve in the league. “I am hoping the momentum of this cup run can push us on in our league form,” said Brighton manager Hughton after the win over Derby. “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.”
