Chris Hughton is hoping history strikes for a third time and Manchester City's Quadruple bid is ended by his Brighton team this weekend.
It was the Seagulls who prevented a Liverpool side that won the title and League Cup that season completing a domestic Treble by knocking them out in round five on the way to themselves reaching the 1983 FA Cup final.
And Hughton was also part of the Tottenham coaching staff which oversaw Manchester United's League Cup exit in 1998-99, limiting that side to their famous Treble rather than a Quadruple.
Hughton insists Pep Guardiola’s Blues, who already have the League Cup won, are neck-and-neck with Liverpool in the title race with six games left and into a Champions League quarter-final against Spurs, is right up there with the very best of the past and capable of winning all four — but he is hoping to dash those hopes in Saturday' evening's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.
Asked whether City are comparable to United’s Treble winners of 20 years ago, Hughton said: “Probably. The quality and the depth of the squad. Are they capable of doing it? Yes, they are capable of doing it. They certainly have the squad and the depth of squad to do it.
“We still can’t take away from the fact it’s still very difficult to be able to do. When you look at the quality of teams still in the Champions League… so the reason why it is generally not done is because it is incredibly difficult to do. But can they? Yes, they have the capabilities to do it.
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“If they are not the best, then very, very close to the best. The difficulty with City is they can open you up in so many different ways. And what’s added to their ammunition this season is a goalkeeper (Ederson) who can spray a pass from 40-50 yards and can get them on the attack.
“They can turn defence into attack so quickly.
“Both Silvas (David and Bernardo) have added another dimension to their play. And of course the form of [Raheem] Sterling, who has been absolutely outstanding this season. So if not the best, then very, very close to the best.”
