When the final whistle blew after 100 minutes of Brighton against the champions Manchester City, the world had seen what the Albion are made of.
I felt so proud of the players, for the way they fought back to claim a fantastic result. There were so many happy, smiling faces all around as we made our way out of the Amex afterwards.
If you could bottle that feeling, you would make a fortune. And it is a feeling to remember on those days when things do not go quite so well. This is what Brighton can do.
City came into the game having lost three on the trot. Was their PMA (positive mental attitude) waning? Were the players starting to be impacted by the impending legal issues their club is tied up in?
Who knows. But even with City on a winless run, they are still one of the best teams in the world with one of the strongest squads. Which is what made this 2-1 comeback win so special.
Being the last home game before Remembrance Sunday, the Albion pad their usual respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in both World Wars and the many conflicts since.
It is also a time to consider what life may have been like if those brave folk had not served and fought for their country. As the famous saying goes: “When You Go Home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today.”
For those unaware, this is known as the Kohima Epitaph. Kohima is a hill town on the India-Myanmar border. Between April and June 1944, it saw some of the bitterest fighting of World War II to prevent a Japanese advance.
But back the Amex, where the Albion arranged an excellent poppy montage covering the East Stand and the famous Salvation Army buglers played The Last Post before kick off.
Once the game was underway, Bart Vebruggen made a great early save to prevent Savinho going on the scoresheet. This set the tone for the opening 30 minutes.
A slight error from Yasin Ayari paved the way for City to take the lead in the 23rd minute. The champions won possession, pushed through midfield and a well-placed pass found Erling Haaland.
Haaland remains me of the Jolly Green Giant, although by full time he was not so jolly. Neither Jan Paul van Hecke nor Igor Julio could stop The Jolly Green Giant thundering into the box as they instead concentrated on not giving away a penalty.
The Jolly Green Giant was able to shoot, the ball spun up off Verbruggen and was turned over the line by Haaland at the second attempt using his forward momentum.
Verbruggen made another save from Haaland to prevent City increasing their lead. Pep Guardiola was clearly worried about his side not taking their chances, becoming more and more animated on the touchline.
He looked more like a policeman directing traffic than a head coach, pointing here, there and everywhere so demonstratively.
Brighton mustered the first attack when Kaoru Mitoma showed his pace by getting away from one of the fastest defenders in the Premier League, Kyle Walker.
Mitoma was able to lay off to Danny Welbeck, whose effort was blocked. Pervis Estupinan followed up but his attempt was well wide.
Half time arrived and the Albion were a little lucky to only be trailing by one. The scoreline meant it was by no means over and as we saw in the 3-2 win against Spurs, Fabian Hurzeler and his coaching staff have the ability to inspire the team into second part comebacks.
Playing towards the North Stand, it did not take long for the Albion to go on the attack. Estupinan put in a great cross which Jack Hinshelwood climbed high to get on. Hinshelwood made good contact with his head but it was a little too close to Ederson.
The game was fast becoming a real nip-and-tuck encounter. Haaland ran in on goal with Igor saving the day via a critical clearance.
Back up the other end and Georginio Rutter headed over the crossbar after more promising link up down the left through Mitoma and Estupinan.
Mitoma himself nearly scored, denied by Ederson with a first-class roly-poly thrown in for good measure. Substitute Joao Pedro was next denied as Brighton continued to push.
It was in the 78th minute that the roof was lifted off the Amex. A game of bagatelle broke out in the City box, in amongst which Pedro managed to get his foot underneath the ball and smash it past Ederson.
Pedro celebrated with a gesture which said “I’m back”. It is amazing to think the Seagulls have soared so high this season despite playing a lot of it without Pedro.
Haaland meanwhile was caught on camera expressing much frustration. He screamed like a child who had been denied a sweetie or told he could not have his lid for his water bottle.
City were floundering and only five minutes later, Brighton scored again. A great move started in midfield involving Carlos Baleba, Danny Welbeck and Pedro,
By the time the ball reached the edge of the City box, Pedro slipped it through straight into the path of Matt O’Riley.
With his right foot, O’Riley beat Ederson. The noise eclipsed even the sound which greeted the equaliser. Sheer joy for Seagulls fans everywhere whilst Guardiola sat, head-in-hands in the dugout.
There were now seven minutes plus an additional injury time 10 remaining. Kevin De Bruyne and Josko Gvardiol put efforts wide as City were relentless in trying to find an equaliser.
I was hoping and praying the Albion would hold on. When Verbruggen clasped the ball in the final seconds and Van Hecke and Haaland were booked for tangling, those prayers were answered.
A worldwide, massive audience of football fans around had seen Brighton beat Manchester City. The street cred and confidence that will give the Albion is huge.
The only disappointment being we have to wait two weeks to try and capitalise on the momentum away at Bournemouth after the international break.
In the mean time, thank you to the Albion for a great game and evening’s entertainment. Sorry you don’t agree, Senor Guardiola and Jolly Green Giant Haaland!
Tony Noble @Noble1844Tony
