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  3. Tola Showunmi on the pitch during a match for Crawley

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  7. Time to speak about Webster

    Scott McCarthy
    Fan writer

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    Adam WebsterGetty Images

    When Lewis Dunk was forced off at half-time of Brighton's 2-1 FA Cup win over Chelsea, Brighton looked in a spot of defensive bother with the only centre-back on the bench being Adam Webster.

    There were a couple of reasons to potentially panic over Webster coming on. The first was he had played only 159 minutes of competitive football in four months since getting injured in October.

    Hardly great preparation for any player facing being thrown in at the deep end against Cole Palmer and co, let alone one such as Webster who, throughout his six seasons at Amex Stadium has always needed four or five matches to shake off the rust after a lay-off.

    The second reason to panic was what happened the previous time he faced Chelsea. Webster was all over the shop as Palmer plundered four goals in 45 minutes at Stamford Bridge back in September.

    It looked like Father Time was catching up with him. The Premier League was at too high a quality. Obituaries were written.

    All of these now need to be cancelled.

    Since Webster took over from Dunk, Brighton have won five games out of five, conceding only twice. One was an absolute rocket from Justin Kluivert against Bournemouth. The other was a penalty in the FA Cup at Newcastle on Sunday.

    Webster has seamlessly replaced Dunk as both centre-back and captain. Albion look more solid than at any point under Fabian Hurzeler with Webster in the team.

    Dunk has been injured twice already this season and was almost instantly restored to the starting XI upon his return. That surely cannot happen this time.

    Webster is in arguably the best form of his Brighton career. He is clearly enjoying every moment with that enthusiasm rubbing off on those around him.

    And it is absolutely magnificent to watch.

    Find more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton

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  20. Hurzeler's age means he can 'gel with the team a little bit more'

    Yankuba Minteh and Georginio Rutter celebrate with manager Fabian HuerzelerGetty Images

    Brighton fan Scott Daly says Fabian Hurzeler has started his reign at Amex Stadium "incredibly" since taking charge in the summer, adding that the Seagulls are "one point better off" in the Premier League this season than at the same point under Roberto de Zerbi in 2023-24.

    Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex about Brighton's season so far, Daly said: "In the Premier League, Brighton have only lost six games this season. If you think back to five or six years ago, it is incredible to have only lost six games over halfway through the season.

    "There have been quite a few draws where we could have stolen points and we should be in the top four, but Brighton are a very well-managed team at the moment. The club is very well run from the top to the bottom.

    "Hurzeler has started incredibly. He has had an impact straightaway. Yes there was a little blip halfway through this season, but we are obviously on the rise again.

    "If you are going to compare him with other managers, then I think that's silly. If you did want to compare him then I'm pretty sure that at this point in Roberto de Zerbi's last full season, we are one point better off than De Zerbi was.

    "Being a young manager, some of your players are going to be a little bit older than you, but you are a manager who can gel with the team a little bit more.

    "He can sympathise with them and he knows what's going on at that age. He can be more down to earth with them. Rather than being that father figure, he can be that brother figure that has a bit of banter with them and encourages them to do better."

    Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

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  22. Newcastle 1-2 Brighton - the fans' verdict

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    We asked for your views on the FA Cup fifth-round tie between Newcastle and Brighton.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Newcastle fans

    David: Never a red card. The defender had a hold of Anthony Gordon's shirt and he merely over-exuberantly shoved him off - pathetic refereeing. The same referee had let off a definite second yellow card for Carlos Baleba just 15 minutes before. Newcastle deserved to progress, despite not being at their best. Sandro Tonali and Alexander Isak were a class above. Brighton were very fortunate but hung in there and rode their luck.

    Rich: The wheels came flying off the bus. We were unlucky with two offside goals but ultimately we lacked accuracy of passing, imagination and skill in nearly every position. A two-week transformation is required if we are to stand any chance in the Carabao Cup final.

    Simon: Another home defeat. It is becoming a frustration that every season seems to go in the same way. I don't know what I watched but it was amateurish and a calamity. Joelinton was just infuriating and he needs to rein his petulance in a little. Playing Isak was a mistake and I hope he wasn't injured. Gordon is out of the Carabao Cup final, which we will most certainly lose if we turn up defeated before kick-off. Eddie Howe has got a miracle to perform.

    Chris: Some of our players aren't good enough for the Championship, never mind the Premier League. Do their brains switch off when the game starts? Do they listen to the manager? It looks like me and my son will never see Newcastle United win anything.

    Brighton fans

    Brian: What a fantastic end-to-end game, settled by a brilliant finish from Danny Welbeck. Brighton to win the FA Cup? Why not.

    Ben: We played very well in attack and decently in defence. There were some silly fouls coming in, which shouldn't have done, but it was still a very good performance. Nice to see Solly March back on the pitch and getting the assist. What a player Danny is to get the final goal - what a legend.

    Sergio: Welbeck was amazing but March also deserves credit for finding that deadly pass and putting in a shift defensively. They were both substitutes too! Fabian Hurzeler made some great calls in this game.

    Ian: A good performance from both teams, only spoilt by an over-officious referee. Brighton had the edge throughout and deserved the win. A great goal from Welbeck for the winner.

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