Man City vs Brighton: Chris Hughton looking to the past for inspiration in FA Cup meeting

Beating Manchester City at Wembley was one of the high-points of Chris Hughton’s playing career. A repeat this evening will provide a similar landmark as a manager and, by his own admission, leave the Brighton and Hove Albion boss feeling 22 all over again.

Hughton, 60, was part of the Tottenham Hotspur side that beat City and lifted the FA Cup in 1981 after Ricky Villa wrote himself into the competition’s folklore with a memorable solo goal that finally divided the two teams after a replay. Memories of that occasion remain fresh for the manager who faces an even greater challenge if he is conjure a victory today that would bring an end to Pep Guardiola’s team hopes of completing a clean sweep of this season’s major prizes.

“I remember Ricky’s goal incredibly well because I’ve seen it so many times,” he said. “It’s probably if not the most shown FA Cup goal then very close to it. And of course I remember the celebrations that came after it.

“I’ve got lots of pictures of me jumping up and down which you don’t see so much of these days. I was a little bit younger, the knee was probably a bit in better shape and I was able to do those things. But certainly, if we were able to beat an outstanding Man City in the form that they’re in, then possibly the knee might be a younger knee tomorrow, put it that way. I’m not sure I’d go to the extent of running down the line! But a little bit more than normal, perhaps.”

Hughton’s side were forced to stage a dramatic late comeback to recover from two goals down in the final minutes of their quarter-final with Millwall before eventually setting up today’s visit to the national stadium after holding their nerve during the penalty shoot-out.

The manager now is under no illusions about the task that lies ahead although if he is looking for omens, he can draw on the fact he was a coach at Spurs when the North London club beat Manchester United in the League Cup in 1999 on their way to the trophy, denying Sir Alex Ferguson’s side in their treble-winning season.

“If this City team are not the best I have come up against, then they are very, very close to the best,” he said. “The difficulty with City is they can open you up in so many different ways. And what’s added to their ammunition this season is a goalkeeper who can spray a pass from 40-50 yards and can get them on the attack. They can turn defence into attack so quickly. I think both Silvas, David and Bernardo, have added another dimension to their play. And of course the form of Raheem Sterling who has been absolutely outstanding this season. So if not the best, then very, very close to the best.”

Brighton’s defeat by Southampton last Saturday meant they go into this game with lingering relegation concerns. This game, though, is another indicator of the progress the club has made under Hughton.

“We are very realistic how huge the task is on Saturday so firstly it’s about the performance,” he said. “And if we are able to put in a performance that we can be proud of, then certainly it gives us a chance. If we don’t, then of course it gives us no chance.”