MIDDLESBROUGH v BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

FA Cup 4th Round 

It’s been a while on a few fronts. Snow, rain, ice and a tropical holiday has meant the best part of two months since the last reported game and it is also a few seasons since A Good Cup Run has graced either the fourth round of the FA Cup or Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium.

So it is good to be here, even on a grey but not unpleasant afternoon to see what could be an interesting match-up with a Tony Pulis reinvigorated Boro against Premiership strugglers Brighton.  Of course much depends on the attitude of the clubs and managers, but with both of the latter British there is hope they will respect the competition.  The fact the announced teams include a lot of low numbers bodes well.

Boro start the liveliest without causing any alarm but by the twenty minute mark Brighton have settled and the game is developing a pattern.  It is not an open one. Whenever Boro lose possession they fall back into a back four and a not quite so back five with little room between.  Brighton then pass the ball about in their own half for a while, unmolested, before they try a probe forward here and there, generally without consequence.

The only bright spark on the pitch is Boro’s Adama Traore whose instant control, quick feet and lightning pace several times take him past the one or often two players marking him to create potential danger in the Brighton box.  Though nothing comes directly from his efforts he does win a corner that centre half Daniel Ayala gets a stumbling header to, but it is straight at the keeper.  Boro’s next attempt also comes from a set piece; Ryan Shotton’s long throws had been falling short but this one eventually finds its way to Patrick Bamford.  His back is to goal but the ball is sufficiently high for him to execute a bicycle kick that is just too high to trouble the keeper.

Brighton are offering little in attack but late in the half they find themselves overcommitted for once.  Boro win back possession and send Traore away down the inside right channel.  His pace takes him clear of his marker and before a covering defender can interfere he has unleashed a fine twenty-five yard shot.  It is on target but Brighton keeper Tim Krul gets a fingertip to the ball to divert it onto the post and away to safety. No score at half time but Boro ahead on points.

Brighton come out for the second half out looking more interested and begin to control matters, manager Chris Hughton presumably having explained the role that goal posts play in the game.  Ten minutes into the half their first shot on goal comes in from the left.  It is well struck but straight at keeper Darren Randolph, who makes a meal of gathering it, instead fumbling and presenting the inrushing Jiri Skalak with the chance to knock in the rebound.  However Randolph’s reaction is positive and he not only blocks Skalak’s effort but takes out the forward as well.  Both require treatment but while Randolph continues, Skalak is substituted.

The man coming on is Jose Izquierdo, who from the left wing proceeds to have as good a game in this half as Traore had in the first.  Traore himself is now less effective, shunted to the left wing to accommodate Pulis’s own substitutions that bring on the experienced Stuart Downing and Britt Assombalonga.

The game loosens up as the prospect of a draw and the dreaded replay become increasingly likely.  Still Boro’s only chances come from set plays.  A free kick from the latest foul on Traore produces an Ayala flick on and a Ben Gibson header at the far post that goes wide.  At the other end Izquierdo fires over.

On ninety minutes Izquierdo again poses danger on the left and curls a tempting cross into the six yard box.  Defender George Friend is first to the ball but Brighton substitute Glenn Murray is not far behind.  Friend’s clearance hits Murray on the knee and from that close in Randolph can do nothing to keep the ball out of the net.  It is a freak goal and a likely winner.

In the four added minutes Boro charge forward and get one last chance with a free kick on the edge of the box.  It is well hit but the wall of defenders does its job and deflects the shot for a corner that itself comes to nought.

So the dreaded replay is avoided.  Boro didn’t deserve to lose, but didn’t really do enough to win either.  They will continue their Championship slog without further distraction.  Brighton must continue their efforts on two fronts in the knowledge that, on this evidence, neither are likely to end in success.