How Welbeck's FA Cup goal left Ferguson 'buzzing'
After Danny Welbeck scored the extra-time winner against Newcastle to send Brighton into the FA Cup quarter-finals, an unexpected name popped up on his mobile phone."[Sir Alex Ferguson] actually phoned me after the Newcastle goal," he told Football Focus."He talked about the goal and the performance. He was buzzing and to have that sort of connection, he is a manager who is always looking out for his players, always wants the best for them, and still to this day is in contact."Welbeck's career started under Ferguson at Manchester United where he was part of the squad that won the Premier League in 2013.The striker moved to Arsenal the following year and helped them to lift the FA Cup twice, something he is now hoping to help Brighton achieve as the Seagulls prepare to host Nottingham Forest in the quarter-finals on Saturday.With Ferguson and then Arsene Wenger, it was not a bad pair of managers for him to have worked under, and two who he says influence who he is today."Sir Alex Ferguson got success in his own way, Arsene Wenger had success in his way," he added. There's different ways to reach success. "Them two managers played a huge part in my life, not just my career."Watch the full interview with Welbeck on Football Focus, BBC One, Saturday 29 March 11:30 GMT.The FA Cup quarter-final tie between Brighton and Nottingham Forest (17:15 GMT) is live on BBC One and iPlayer.
Welbeck hoping to experience 'special' feeling again
Welbeck is now working under Fabian Hurzeler at Brighton.At 34, Welbeck is two years older than Hurzeler but the German has had a strong impact on the veteran forward that has helped him produce some of the best form of his career.He has hit seven Premier League goals so far this season - more than he has managed in any of his previous four campaigns at the Seagulls."His age is never a topic around the training ground," Welbeck said of Hurzeler. "I think that speaks volumes of him. "From the first meeting with the group he was so authoritative and so clear with his ideas. Now I never think about his age, he is just the manager."Hurzeler has continued the good work of his predecessors Graham Potter and Roberto de Zerbi, and he has the club challenging for Europe this season.But Brighton have never won the FA Cup, finishing runners-up in 1983, and Welbeck hopes to rectify that this term."I've had some really special times with the FA Cup," he added. "It has been proper highlights of my career and they are memories that stay with you forever."You want to feel those special moments again."
'Injuries made me a better person and player'
Despite having won an impressive amount of silverware, Welbeck's career has been hampered by injuries.He previously had almost a year out after knee surgery and also missed 42 games at Arsenal because of a broken ankle.This season, however, has seen him stay largely injury free and that has helped him to enjoy some of the best form of his career.He is now one goal away from becoming Brighton's outright all-time top scorer in the Premier League as he sits on 30 alongside Pascal Gross."I've been really unlucky with injuries in the past – contact ones like knee injuries, people falling into your knee and you fall into awkward positions," said Welbeck."It is difficult to go through those moments but they have made me a better person and a better player because there's always positive you can look into with the negative side of things. "I always try to see the positive and try to make myself better in those difficult situations."Injury-free and in fine form, Welbeck is hoping this season can be a memorable one both on a personal level and for Brighton.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
37 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Irish village team play incredible line-up of football legends, with Champions League-winning hard man at the back, Everton hero up front and England star in goal
An Irish village football team picked a surprising opposition to play as they went up against a side featuring an incredible line-up of football legends. Ayrfield United FC, a local outfit based in north Dublin, pitted their wits against some of the very best as they faced a Premier League legends side including a Champions League winner, a former England goalkeeper and an Everton cult hero. The likes of Jaap Stam, David James, Jermaine Beckford and Yakubu were all part of the squad to face Ayrfield at their Blunden Drive ground on Saturday afternoon. Yakubu and Beckford rolled back the years as the former Toffees duo led the line and were seen together in a picture posted by one fan on social media. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, the user wrote that Yakubu 'scored a vintage Yak goal'. In reply, a second labelled him a 'legend' upon seeing that he made an appearance in the match. Yakubu was remembered fondly for his time in the Premier League, where he scored 95 goals in 252 appearances during spells for Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton and Blackburn Rovers. The Nigerian's final season on Merseyside was shared with Beckford, who played for Everton after a lengthy stint at Leeds United. To give as many local players as possible the chance to put their skills to the test, Ayrfield rotated three different line-ups across 30-minute periods against the legends side - who may have been blowing by the end of the 90 minutes. Posting to Instagram after the match, former Manchester United centre-back Stam thanked Ayrfield for being invited to play in the event. The Dutchman wrote: 'Great game. Lots of quality on the pitch with great support from the fans! Very enjoyable to be out there!' In reply, Ayrfield United wrote: 'Jaap you've still got it ya legend. Brilliant to have you here today. Thank you very much for coming'. Further comments of appreciation from fans read: 'What a day! Congrats to all involved'.
Leader Live
44 minutes ago
- Leader Live
John Stones reflects on ‘dark days' during recent injury setbacks
The Manchester City and England centre-back made only six Premier League starts in the 2024-25 season after thigh, foot and other undisclosed issues. That came after he also missed two months at the start of the previous campaign with a hip injury. These setbacks have prevented the 31-year-old building on what was an outstanding season in 2022-23 when, playing a hybrid defence-midfield role, he helped City win the treble. Stones said: 'Yes, there have been points where you think: you've been giving all this effort, you dedicate all your life, especially how I approach or go about my life and football, I give everything on and off the pitch to be here or be ready to play games and… those are the dark days. 'I think everyone's been through them and thinks, 'Why is this happening?' You wish it would go a different path. It's self-doubt, a lot of things. 'It is frustrating for me. I put a lot of pressure on myself. I find it very challenging mentally. 'I have had some very low points in the past season. I just have to (try to) come back but, once you come over those things, you can't really see the end of the tunnel when they keep happening. 'All of us have been through different upbringings and challenges through life and what did we do within those situations – was it fight or was it give up? 'I was a fighter from a young age. In difficult moments, you have to look at the bigger picture and realise what your morals are, what you believe in, and fight to make it worthwhile.' Stones has now battled his way back to fitness and is hoping to play a big part in City's challenge at the Club World Cup in the United States. He has not featured since February when he was forced off after just eight minutes against Real Madrid. He was an unused substitute in their opening game of the tournament against Wydad Casablanca on Wednesday. Speaking to media ahead of their second game against Al Ain of Abu Dhabi in Atlanta, Stones said he was 'raring' to go. He said: 'I feel great, I'm back fit and ready to help the team when called upon. I'm excited to get going. 'Mentally it's been difficult dealing with the injuries and the process, but now I've put that behind me. 'I've been back in training a few weeks now and that's been going great. I'm super excited.' Manager Pep Guardiola is pleased to have Stones back in contention but will ease him back into action. Guardiola said: 'Him playing football, I want that. We have been together for almost one decade and he's an incredible human being. 'But the important thing now is at training sessions, he feels better. Games are another issue, another rhythm.'
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
John Stones reflects on ‘dark days' during recent injury setbacks
The Manchester City and England centre-back made only six Premier League starts in the 2024-25 season after thigh, foot and other undisclosed issues. That came after he also missed two months at the start of the previous campaign with a hip injury. These setbacks have prevented the 31-year-old building on what was an outstanding season in 2022-23 when, playing a hybrid defence-midfield role, he helped City win the treble. Stones said: 'Yes, there have been points where you think: you've been giving all this effort, you dedicate all your life, especially how I approach or go about my life and football, I give everything on and off the pitch to be here or be ready to play games and… those are the dark days. 'I think everyone's been through them and thinks, 'Why is this happening?' You wish it would go a different path. It's self-doubt, a lot of things. 'It is frustrating for me. I put a lot of pressure on myself. I find it very challenging mentally. 'I have had some very low points in the past season. I just have to (try to) come back but, once you come over those things, you can't really see the end of the tunnel when they keep happening. 'All of us have been through different upbringings and challenges through life and what did we do within those situations – was it fight or was it give up? 'I was a fighter from a young age. In difficult moments, you have to look at the bigger picture and realise what your morals are, what you believe in, and fight to make it worthwhile.' Stones has now battled his way back to fitness and is hoping to play a big part in City's challenge at the Club World Cup in the United States. He has not featured since February when he was forced off after just eight minutes against Real Madrid. He was an unused substitute in their opening game of the tournament against Wydad Casablanca on Wednesday. Speaking to media ahead of their second game against Al Ain of Abu Dhabi in Atlanta, Stones said he was 'raring' to go. He said: 'I feel great, I'm back fit and ready to help the team when called upon. I'm excited to get going. 'Mentally it's been difficult dealing with the injuries and the process, but now I've put that behind me. 'I've been back in training a few weeks now and that's been going great. I'm super excited.' Manager Pep Guardiola is pleased to have Stones back in contention but will ease him back into action. Guardiola said: 'Him playing football, I want that. We have been together for almost one decade and he's an incredible human being. 'But the important thing now is at training sessions, he feels better. Games are another issue, another rhythm.'
