Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi was delighted after their 5-1 FA Cup win at Middlesbrough.

Two goals from substitute Alexis Mac Allister rounded off an excellent display at the Riverside with Pascal Gross, Adam Lallana and Deniz Undav also on target against the Championship side.

“The quality of play pleased me, we played well in the 90 minutes," he said. “Middlesbrough are a good team but we played in our style and found solutions to score goals. We played well in all the phases.

“I love football and when I work I always give 100%. The FA Cup doesn't change this. The Charlton result [in the Carabao Cup] was a lesson for us. We played well that day but not with the attitude and toughness to achieve the result.

“We are improving our mentality and getting used to playing every game like it is an important final."

De Zerbi said he always planned to give Lallana and Mac Allister a half each and was pleased with his World Cup winner's contribution.

“Alexis's performance is not a surprise for me, he's a top player. I knew before the World Cup how important he is for us. He can play in different positions like others.

“He has the quality to score many goals. He played higher today, and he can help us find the last pass and the goal. Step by step I was able to put a lot of players on the pitch today, and they are all part of the project."

Roberto confirmed that Leandro Trossard was absent due to a slight calf problem while skipper Lewis Dunk had a dead leg.