Does FA Cup have its magic back?published at 14:28 25 March
14:28 25 March
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty Images
Looking a little further ahead in England, at least this weekend gives some players a little break. The Premier League takes a rest while the FA Cup quarter-finals top the bill and rarely has there been a more unusual cast list.
Bournemouth, Preston North End, Fulham, Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Brighton are not regulars in FA Cup finals, so it is a great chance for glory.
Not since Forest in 1959 have any of the above won the trophy.
Many of the big dogs have gone out already - not because they didn't care, but because they simply weren't good enough.
The FA Cup seems to have its sparkle back and, with a bit of luck, it might even have the first magical fairytale ending we have seen since Wigan in 2013.
'There have been games this season that have bypassed him'published at 12:07 24 March
12:07 24 March
Scott McCarthy Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
With Brighton on a sequence of seven Premier League games unbeaten, including six successive wins, asking which player needs to do more is akin to asking whether I would rather give up eating sausages or drinking red wine. Impossible to answer.
Lewis Dunk sprung to mind. The Albion captain has been well below his best in 2024-25, and this current fantastic run of form coincides with his absence because of a rib injury.
When Dunk might return is clouded in mystery. Could be against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup on Saturday. Might not be until May. Either way, it seems harsh to tell a bloke who has spent seven weeks and counting in the treatment room that he needs to do more.
I have, therefore, gone for Joao Pedro. When Pedro is in the right mood, he is a fantastic footballer. You don't lead the line for Brazil wearing the number nine shirt if you aren't.
But there have been games this season that have bypassed him, in which his most noteworthy contribution has been to wave at the Amex crowd, demanding more support from the terraces (a subject previously covered on this page).
There are other aspects of Pedro's game which have come close to letting the Albion down. He was lucky to escape a red card against Brentford in December when swinging an elbow in frustration at an opponent.
Against Manchester City last time out, Pedro might have picked up a second yellow for simulation. He does like to roll around on the floor, although his acting skills are unlikely to bother Steve McFadden in terms of competition for a National Television Award this year.
Pedro is good enough to be one of the next big money departures from Brighton to a 'big six' club. If he plays as well as he can over the remainder of the campaign, it could happen as soon as this summer.
Leicester City 3-2 Brighton: Leicester heading in right direction published at 18:17 23 March
18:17 23 March
Elizabeth Botcherby BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
During the first 10 rounds of the 2024-25 season, Leicester City's fans had precious little to cheer about.
Their side picked up just six points from a possible 30, registered one win in 10 matches, and scored a meagre three goals. At the winter break, they were teetering just one points above the relegation zone. A nail-biting second half of the season beckoned.
Positionally, little has changed seven matches on, climbing just one place to 10th, and they're still yet to string consecutive wins together.
But following Sunday's 3-2 victory over Brighton, an entertaining encounter which will have tested the nerves of the Foxes faithful, they've now won three matches from seven the start of 2025 and are unbeaten in their past four matches at home.
They've scored 10 goals in those seven matches, with six different players (plus one own goal) on the scoresheet.
The most important number, however, is the gap between themselves and bottom club Crystal Palace, which is now at six points with just five matches remaining.
And with out-of-form Tottenham, who are currently on a five-match losing streak, up next for Amandine Miquel's side, they have a golden opportunity to extend the gap between themselves and the drop zone next Sunday.
Image source, Getty Images
