The half-time whistle went, the two teams headed for the tunnel and Brighton’s boys of 83 wandered on to the pitch. They were special guests to mark the 40th anniversary of the club’s first and only FA Cup final appearance.
They talked of Wembley and fond memories and the new ground being broken by Roberto De Zerbi’s current crop.
And then the sprinklers came on and drenched these heroes of yesteryear. Surely nothing can rain on the parade of Brighton’s new history boys?
Not after this win over relegated Southampton, secured thanks to Evan Ferguson’s first-half double and a record-equalling third from Pascal Gross. Brighton are setting sail from the South Coast towards uncharted waters.
Heading into their final two games, De Zerbi’s side sit sixth, three points clear of Aston Villa. Now only two defeats and a goal-difference swing of 16 can deny them a place in the Europa League. They meet on the final day but the celebrations at full-time said everything.
Evan Ferguson netted a double as Brighton survived second-half scare to defeat Southampton
After Brighton dominated the early stages of the game, Ferguson fired them ahead on 29 minutes
18-year-old added a second before the interval to mark his sixth of the campaign in the Premier League
This was all very comfortable for 45 minutes: Brighton controlled the ball and fully deserved their two-goal lead. Southampton played like a team whose fate is sealed, even if Ruben Selles resisted phoning it in.
Saints are expected to appoint Russell Martin as their new manager in the coming days. But still Selles lived every pass and every press.
How frustrated he grew during the first half. How he enjoyed the visitors’ second-half rally, when in four bonkers minutes, Saints threatened to spoil Brighton’s day.
Mohamed Elyounoussi glanced in a header from a corner before Theo Walcott raced clear to level. Alas, replays showed the winger was offside and before long, Brighton had restored their two-goal lead and their supporters had resumed the party.
Wednesday’s visit of Manchester City will see De Zerbi’s side wave goodbye to the AMEX for another season.
When they return in the summer, they will be playing European football. Southampton, meanwhile, will be prepping for life in the Championship under their fourth coach in a year.
They sounded out City’s Enzo Maresca before turning to Swansea boss Martin. Here’s hoping this appointment works. Bad managerial decisions cost them dear this season.
They left Selles with an impossible job and the impending arrival of Martin means former Saints boss Nathan Jones is being linked with the Swansea job. Football. No such chaos down the coast at Brighton.
The only wonder on Sunday was how it took almost half an hour for the first goal to arrive. Both defences felt charitable enough to offer up glorious opportunities; somehow none was taken.
Southampton thought they had the lead when a loose touch from Levi Colwill allowed Carlos Alcaraz to feed Walcott and set up a three on two. Walcott slipped the ball back into the path of Alcaraz, only for the striker to spoon his shot wide with the goal gaping.
Either side of that, Brighton dominated the ball and were the more threatening, creative side.
If only Mitoma was as good at taking chances as he is at creating them: first the winger latched on to a loose header from Jan Bednarek, 25 yards from goal, worked space to shoot but sent his shot narrowly wide. Then, he profited from a slip from Bednarek and raced in on goal.
The winger lifted an effort over Alex McCarthy, only for the ball to bounce back off the post. De Zerbi couldn’t believe it but the winger made up for it, five minutes before the break, when he created Ferguson’s second goal.
The teenager’s first arrived with the help of McCarthy. Ferguson was given too much time and space to shoot inside the area. He struck it nicely but the ball shouldn’t have squirmed through Southampton’s goalkeeper.
Mohamed Elyounoussi netted for the Saints after the break to halve Brighton’s advantage
Theo Walcott added a second minutes later that looked to have levelled the game
But the former Arsenal star’s strike was ruled out for offside after a review by VAR
Brighton recovered well following the visitors spell in control and Pascal Gross added a third
Results leaves Brighton within touching distance of securing European football next season
Southampton’s fans had reason to grumble after the second, too. This time, Mitoma ran on to a loose pass inside his own half and drove forward. Romeo Lavia came across to win it back, took a tumble and demanded a free-kick.
The referee said no before Mitoma curled a beautiful ball across the box with the outside of his boot. It ran into the path of Ferguson, who made no mistake.
Southampton offered little warning of the fightback that was to come. The visitors offered very little whatsoever after Gross dragged a shot inside McCarthy’s near post.
It was the German’s 26th Premier League goal, equalling the club record. Very soon, he and his team-mates will be writing more entries into the Albion history books.
