Connolly showed brilliant composure to provide an instinctive finish for Albion’s first goal, while Alzate marked his senior debut with an accomplished performance in midfield.
He said, “He [Connolly] got his goal and that’s what he does. He has taken the under-23 league by storm and it’s almost too easy for him with goal after goal.
“He’s taken his opportunity in the cup and got his goal. I thought Steven played very well and was composed in possession and clever in defence as well.
“With the manager in charge he’s only going to make him better and I expect to see more of him.”
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The Seagulls frontman highlighted how the likes of Alzate is reaping the rewards of Graham Potter’s style of play, and says the whole squad is rising to the challenge of a different tactical approach.
“The brand of football that the club is playing at the moment suits him and you can see he’s very comfortable in possession with the people around him.
“He’s rare in the sense that he’s a midfielder that can pass the ball with vision, but can also go past people as well.
“The system is very different to what we’re used to, but it’s plain to see in all the games so far this season that the club is a happy place.”