Orlandi: FA Cup win over Newcastle one of my best memories

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Adam Tighe

2025-03-02T06:00+00:00

Andrea Orlandi scored a terrific goal against Newcastle in the FA Cup in January 2013. 📷 by Geoff Penn.

Former midfielder Andre Orlandi has said the FA Cup victory over Newcastle in 2013 is one of his most cherished memories of his time at the Amex.

As Fabian Hurzeler’s side prepare to face the Magpies for the first time in the competition since that 2-0 win, Orlandi was more than happy to reminisce about the day the Seagulls shocked their Premier League visitors.

"We were confident, although we had been struggling for wins over the Christmas period, we had won 3-0 away at Ipswich a few days before and that sent us into the cup game on a real high.

"Then when you looked around the dressing room at the quality we had, we may have been a division lower at the time, but we had players like Wayne Bridge and David Lopez who knew all about playing at the top level, so we knew we could cause them problems.

Andrea Orlandi spent two seasons with Albion. 📷 by Geoff Penn.

"Some of the lads had played a year earlier when the team won 1-0, so there was definitely a feeling we could cause an upset. Nobody was nervous as we knew we would give them a difficult day and for us the pressure was off, the pressure was on them. Plus, we were hard to beat at the Amex.

"We were also pushing for a place in the Premier League and we wanted to show that we could mix it with the elite, and in terms of my favourite moments at Brighton that win was right up there.

"I will always feel that game showed if we had been promoted that season, we would have coped with life in the Premier League."

Will Hoskins secured the victory with a late second, but it was the flexibility and ingenious of Orlandi that had put the Seagulls ahead in the first half.

"My first touch was actually not the best, but it created an opportunity to try something a bit different! If I had controlled it perfectly, the chance probably would have gone as I had a defender right on me, but I had no time to think about the finish, and I instinctively flicked it towards goal. Sometimes you just have to adjust and I think it caught them by surprise.

"It was probably my best goal in terms of improvisation!"

Andrea will be keeping a close eye from Spain as Albion look to secure a quarter final spot this weekend and he is hoping to see Albion get their hands on a major piece of silverware in the not too distant future.

"Anyone that has played for or been associated with Brighton wants to see the club lift a trophy. Everything is there, the club have achieved amazing things, especially reaching Europe, but to put a trophy in the cabinet would be incredible.

"We were so close to a final the other season, it was heartbreaking, but if they can take the recent form up to Newcastle this weekend then there is no reason this season can’t be the one.

‘"You hear a lot about other sides suffering with injuries this season, nobody seems to mention Brighton have also lost players, have a very young side and despite that, they are pushing for Europe again and have a serious chance in the cup.

Andrea Orlandi made 56 appearances for Albion. 📷 by Bennett Dean.

"It will be a difficult afternoon on Sunday, but this side have the quality to beat anyone, have proved that and hopefully we will see a repeat of the 1-0 win earlier this season as I fancy a trip to Wembley!"

Orlandi, who lives in Spain and now works as an agent, has been impressed with Albion’s season so far and feels there has been some harsh criticism at times.

"This side lost an entire midfield in the summer, has a young squad and a manager learning the league, and there will be bad days along the way. That is football, that is life. One bad performance doesn’t define a season, and there is a lot of new elements that are still blending together.

"They have only lost once to a so called ‘big six’ team in the league this season and only Arsenal and Liverpool have lost less games, that’s phenomenal and shouldn’t be underestimated. The idea on the pitch is clear and when it has worked this team are not a side others will want to face. Nobody would have been hoping to draw Brighton in the cup.

"No team turns up and plays their own game and wins against Albion, they all have to adjust and combat against Brighton’s strengths, and if your opposition are worried and changing what they would normally like to do, there is no greater compliment in football.

"I really like the work Fabian is doing and I hear nothing but good things about him. If this is the standard in year one, then there are exciting times ahead."