Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 Newcastle United
The FA Cup with Budweiser
Third Round Proper
12.30pm, Saturday 5 January 2013
The Amex Stadium, Brighton & Hove Albion
Live on ITV1
Winning clubs receive £67,500 from The FA's prize fund
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The magic of The FA Cup was very much alive at the Amex Stadium as Andrea Orlandi’s majestic moment of brilliance and a late Will Hoskins strike helped Brighton eliminate Newcastle United for the second year in a row.

An own goal by Mike Williamson proved to be the difference between the two sides last January, but a genuine spark of creative ingenuity illuminated the tie on this occasion.

Shortly after the half-hour mark, former Swansea winger Orlandi nipped ahead of Williamson to reach Wayne Bridge’s cross before teeing the ball up and readjusting his body to poke past Rob Elliot into the far corner of the net.

And as the final whistle loomed, substitute Hoskins calmly slotted home to ensure Brighton became the first side to advance to the Fourth Round Proper.

Gus Poyet’s men hassled and harried their top tier opponents from the start and fashioned a couple of half-chances in the opening exchanges, although goalkeeper Elliot was not tested.

However, Elliot was indebted to James Perch in the eighth minute for denying Brighton an opening goal.

Spanish winger David Lopez did well to keep the ball in on the right-hand side and launched a deep cross toward Gary Dicker, whose looping header was cleared off the line by the Newcastle defender.

Lopez threatened again minutes later, lashing a fierce drive towards goal from an acute angle, although it was well-held by Elliot.

The visitors began to settle as the half wore on, with midfielder Gael Birigimana forcing a save from Albion goalkeeper Kasper Ankergren with a 25-yard drive.

But just as Newcastle began to exert themselves, Brighton broke the deadlock – and in marvellous fashion.

Bridge showed wonderful persistence and determination to latch onto Gordon Greer’s raking crossfield pass and hook the ball towards Orlandi, who clinically despatched the ball beyond Elliot.

Brighton continued where they left off after the break, restricting Newcastle’s opportunities to equalise.

And things got even more difficult for the north-east side in the 63rd minute, when captain Shola Ameobi was dismissed for a second bookable offence having caught Lopez with a late challenge.

Newcastle admirably battled on in spite of their numerical disadvantage, but Brighton held firm at the back after seeing several long balls and crosses penetrate their box.

And the hosts got further reward for their endeavour three minutes from time when Hoskins, who had emerged in place of Craig Mackail-Smith, beat the offside trap to meet Lopez’s threaded through-ball and roll the ball underneath Elliot. 

Brighton: Ankergren; David, Greer, El-Abd, Bridge; Hammond (Crofts 83), Bridcutt, Dicker; Orlandi (LuaLua 60), Mackail-Smith (Hoskins 71), Barnes.
Subs not used: Kuszczak, Dunk, Dobbie, Buckley.

Newcastle: Elliot; Tavernier, Williamson, Perch (Dummett 46), Santon; Anita, Bigirimana; Obertan (Marveaux 71), Abeid (Ranger 46), Sammy Ameobi; Shola Ameobi.
Subs not used: Krul, Ferguson, Amalfitano, Campbell.

Referee: Lee Probert

Attendance: 21,740