'They were hard to break down': Brighton boss Graham Potter on his side's FA Cup victory over Blackpool

The Seasiders delivered a gutsy display at the Amex Stadium, eventually going out of the competition to a narrow 2-1 defeat in their fourth round tie.

Pool, who had beaten fellow top flight side West Brom in the last round, went a goal down in the first-half when Yves Bissouma scored with a stunning long-range strike.

But the visitors fired back in first-half stoppage-time when Gary Madine, the competition’s top scorer, steered home to finish off a well-worked move.

The Seagulls retook the lead in fortuitous circumstances when Alex MacAllister’s hopeful effort deflected off teammate Steven Alzate and wrongfooted goalkeeper Chris Maxwell.

The depleted Seasiders, who announced five players had tested positive for Covid-19 prior to kick-off, gave everything in a bid to level, but in the end Brighton’s superior quality told.

With Pool throwing men forward in the final stages in a desperate bid to take the game extra-time, that created numerous openings for Brighton, but they weren't able to capitalise and put the game to bed.

“That is the only thing we could say we could have done better with," Potter said.

“I think we controlled the game, they were organised defensively and that made it hard to break them down.

"Blackpool came with a clear idea and I said before the game they would be a tough opponent because Neil has done a fantastic job in terms of how well-organised they are and what they bring with their attacking games.

"But I thought we controlled it well and they scored with probably their only attack.

"We could have had a few more but in the end it was a solid performance.

“We had to be patient and wait for the chances. But we are happy to get through to the next round.”

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