Brighton Renaissance down to good genes’—Welbeck
Source: http://www.richportaltv.com
“Thanks to my mom and dad for giving me good genes,” said Brighton’s FA Cup hero.
Five years after it looked as though Danny Welbeck’s career was petering out, the 34-year-old Albion made it to the quarterfinals of the FA Cup.
When Welbeck played 18 times and scored twice in Watford’s Premier League relegation campaign in 2019-20, it didn’t seem like there were great days ahead of him.
The former (more on this later) England forward left the Hornets on a free transfer and joined Brighton after the transfer window had closed in October 2020.
An un-Brighton-like signing, a 29-year-old injury-prone forward—surely just a stop-gap?
And yet, the two-time FA Cup winner with Arsenal has had a storming time in Sussex, capped off by his latest goal.
In extra time of their FA Cup fifth-round tie with Newcastle, he ran on to Solly March’s pass before clipping a clever finish over Martin Dubravka from a tight angle to make it 2-1.
That is his eighth goal of the season—only behind two of his Manchester United seasons and one at Arsenal. He is four off his record of 12 at United in 2011–12.
With former clubs United and Arsenal struggling for goalscoring frontmen, they might both wish they still had the services of Welbeck.
After 26 goals in his first four seasons at Brighton, Welbeck has hit eight in 25 this season.
Among those eight have been some big ones.
He netted in a 2-1 win over Manchester United in August, scored two winners at St James’ Park this season, and also got winning goals over Tottenham and Bournemouth.
“It’s great to get the winning goal,” he said after the cup win at Newcastle, where he came on as an 80th-minute substitute.
“I am feeling very good, feeling fit, and feeling strong. Thanks to my mom and dad for giving me good genes.”
“You have to analyze the game and see where you can make a difference when you are on the bench, and that is what we did today,” he continued.