Bringing a definitive end to their World Cup break, Brighton arrive in London this week with the aim of taking one step closer to a first-ever piece of major silverware.
Several years of improvement have seen the Seagulls firmly established as Premier League regulars, so finally lifting an elusive trophy is surely the next step for the South Coast side.
Before the remarkable events of Qatar 2022 intervened, Brighton slipped to a 2-1 home loss against Aston Villa – also their opponents in a 2-2 friendly draw earlier this month. That defeat slightly dampened spirits after beating Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers in their two previous league games.
In addition, Roberto De Zerbi’s men had toppled Premier League leaders Arsenal in the EFL Cup third round, with Tariq Lamptey scoring the final goal in an impressive 3-1 win at the Emirates.
Under former manager Graham Potter, an unfamiliar XI saw off second-round opponents Forest Green Rovers 3-0 at the start of the season, all of which has led to the same stage where Brighton have been eliminated in each of the past two years – to Manchester United and Leicester City respectively.
De Zerbi’s side occupy seventh place ahead of their impending top-flight return and are set to travel along the South Coast to face struggling Southampton on Boxing Day. First, though, they will be keen to avoid an upset at The Valley and reach the EFL Cup quarter-finals.
Now under the guidance of caretaker manager Anthony Hayes, ahead of new boss Dean Holden’s dugout debut at the weekend, the Addicks have also suffered three losses on the bounce following another League One reverse last Saturday, in which they let a lead slip to go down 2-1 to Bristol Rovers at The Valley.
Having already gone close on several occasions, Charlton were good value for their 20th-minute lead, taken when Ryan Inniss headed home Scott Fraser’s corner. However, midway through the second half a double from Rovers substitute John Marquis consigned them to defeat.
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Owner Thomas Sandgaard recently claimed that former coach Ben Garnerhad lost authority among his players, which led to the ex-Swindon boss being dismissed at the start of December.
The final straw which broke the camel’s back came at fourth-tier Stockport County, in an FA Cup second round replay which ended in a humbling 3-1 defeat despite going ahead early on; Charlton had already been knocked out of the EFL Trophy by Plymouth Argyle.
Familiar defensive frailties were to blame on both occasions, and in his final game at the helm, Hayes will now have his hands full to organise an XI able to keep Brighton at bay
