'If Percy Tau scores we break the internet!' - Brighton's South African fans go nuts as striker debuts at Man City

Excitement levels continue to build in South Africa as Percy Tau was named in Brighton's starting XI to face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium tonight.
South Africa international will make his Premier League debut for Brighton at Manchester CitySouth Africa international will make his Premier League debut for Brighton at Manchester City
South Africa international will make his Premier League debut for Brighton at Manchester City

Tau, who was recalled from his loan spell in Belgium last week, impressed from the bench in the FA Cup at Newport last Sunday and will now make his Premier League debut at in-form City.

The South Africa international has a huge social media following in his home country and every move he makes tonight will be closely followed by his fans back home.

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Tau, a left-sided attacker, will likely play in an advanced role alongside Leo Trossard as Neal Maupay drops to the bench.

Ben White is expected to play in central midfield alongside Davy Propper and there's a also a rare start on the left for Bernardo.

Fans were also pleased to see a few academy lads on the bench with Max Sanders, Teddy Jenks, Jenson Weir and Reda Khadra included in a Premier League matchday squad.

Brighton: Sanchez; Veltman, Dunk, Webster, Burn; Mac Allister, Propper, White, Bernardo, Trossard, Tau. Subs: Walton, Maupay, Gross, March, Zeqiri, Sanders, Jenks, Weir, Khadra

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Here's how they reacted on social media to Graham Potter's starting XI

@WillJackson_1 A fairly sensible @OfficialBHAFC XI from Potter - seeing as we should focus on #LeedsUnited . Nice to see the youth players on the bench. Pleased to see

@percymuzitau22 get his first start. Although is that @ben6white centre-mid? #MCIBHA #BHAFC

@zoton78 So no defenders on the bench. Potter time. Here we go!! #bhafc

@SportsGuy_100 Make way for the king. Tau starts

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@SeagullsAcademy: Congratulations to Albion academy product @tedjenks_ who gets his first #PL matchday squad involvement as a sub tonight at @ManCity, along with recent signings @jensenweir and Reda Khadra #BHAFC

@khayakoko88: Had a lump in my throat when I saw Percy Tau included in the starting XI. He is a daily reminder that, with the right attitude, it's possible in Mzantsi. #BHAFC

@KV02__Percy Tau is not that good, don’t know what all the hype is about #BHAFC #Tau

@seancsullivan: Famous last words but I think that team will be very solid only maybe a 1 or 2 nil lose rather then a 4 or 5

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@Brightonfan: We have literally no excuses to not defend set pieces tonight. Veltman, Burn, White, Dunk and Webster. If we do, then I’m going to be furious! #bhafc

@WOOWREPORTS: Quite like the team selection today. Genuinely excited by the potential a Trossard/Mac Allister/Tau trio holds but surely that's the ideal 3 behind a 1 up front, not the actual front three #BHAFC

@BHAFC_LIFE: It’s not a great team but it’s an understandable one! Everyone remember that we have Leeds and Fulham coming up. Need our best players fit for those games! Let’s keep the faith #UTA #BHAFC #PremierLeague

@Brightonfan: Jenks, Khadra, Weir and Sanders on the bench. Our academy is slowly but surely getting there. #bhafc

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@Nesstsehlana: #BHAFC I have never been this excited to watch Brighton. If Tau scores we are breaking the internet

@BHAFCfanpaul: Every Brighton fan and every South African when Percy Tau scores a hatrick to beat city #bhafc