Albion progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 5-2 victory over Sheffield United.
Around 4,000 Brighton supporters made the 220-mile trip north on what was a sunny Saturday afternoon.
It looked to be plain sailing for De Zerbi’s side thanks to a screamer from Facundo Buonanotte in the opening 15 minutes and a penalty from Joao Pedro.
The Blades did apply some early pressure before Albion took the lead through Buonanotte.
Chris Wilder’s side pegged Albion back with two goals on the verge of halftime through Gustavo Hamer and William Osula to make it level at the break.
Both were disappointing defensively from Brighton’s perspective.
Albion put this disappointment behind them in the second half with a thoroughly professional performance spear-headed by Joao Pedro.
The Brazilian scored his second penalty of the game to make it 3-2 in the early stages of the second half.
The 22-year-old then completed his hattrick with a lovely touch, turn and powerful finish into the bottom corner 15 minutes later to put the game beyond doubt for Brighton.
Substitute Danny Welbeck made it five in injury time when he picked up the ball on the half way line, outmuscled Yasser Larouci and smashed the ball underneath Ivo Grbic who was making his debut after signing from Atletico Madrid.
The fifth round draw will take place at around 2pm today ahead of Liverpool’s tie against Norwich City.
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