Sunday afternoon arrived, Brighton was bathed in sunshine for a little while and history was made at the Amex with the Albion qualifying for European competition for the first time in their history.
As the commentator on Albion TV put it in the clearest possible terms: “26 years after nearly dropping out of the Football League altogether, Brighton know that if they secure three points today, they will qualify for Europe for the first time ever.”
Albion 3-1 Southampton meant it was target achieved. Roberto De Zerbi had guided them every step of the way, and long may that continue. He and this group of players will forever be remembered for doing something nobody else has previously managed in over 120 years.
Qualifying for Europe led me to do some reading on our club’s great history, which can be found on the official Albion website. Did you know that it was in 1910 when the club adopted the rousing march of “Sussex by the Sea” as its anthem? Now it will be heard all around the continent next season.
Before the game, it was performed outside the stadium by the North Carolina Marching Band for all fans arriving one hour and a half early to enjoy.
This was then followed by some of the 200 band members coming into the Amex and performing at pitch side. It was quite the spectacle and certainly helped get the crowd going, to the point I was convinced that Sussex by the Sea sounded louder as we sung when the players came out of the tunnel.
The band were not the only welcome guests before kick off. We were also privileged to see two very brave young lads who have been suffering from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.
They have been raising thousands of pounds as they have got stronger for the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital by setting up a challenge of running one kilometre around every EFL and Premier League ground.
What terrific lads they were, bravely trotting around the edge of the stadium as the teams warmed up. Brighton and Southampton players and supporters stood and applauded their efforts.
You could also see the lads stopping on their way to pick up paper money fans had thrown towards them… not quite the cashless stadium the Albion would like us to believe the Amex is!
This begs the question, if we wanted to give at the Amex to more great causes like this, we need locations on-site where you can tap your card to donate. How is that for an idea? Well done, lads; keep up the great work!
Southampton had been relegated the previous weekend but that did not stop them from really worrying the Albion on several occasions, even when Brighton were 2-0 ahead.
De Zerbi said that the Saints had to be taken seriously and he was right. He also said afterwards that whilst victory looks 99 percent certain to have secured Europa League, it is not yet mathematically confirmed.
Our head coach wants that one more point from the final two games to guarantee League rather than Europa Conference. Aston Villa could yet pip the Albion to sixth with victory when the sides meet at Villa Park on Sunday and a 16 goal swing.
A 12-0 defeat against Manchester City on Wednesday followed by a 5-0 loss to Villa and it would be seventh place for Brighton! Stranger things (might) have happened.
City beat Chelsea 1-0 in the late Sunday kick off. Someone mentioned to me that the City bench alone cost £500 million, without even taking into account those in the starting XI.
When you see numbers like that, you realise how well Brighton have done under De Zerbi, Mr Tony Bloom, Mr Paul Barber and the excellent team around them to break into the top six this season. How they intend to build on this season will be fascinating.
De Zerbi has talked about needing more squad depth and he made five changes from the side who were beaten 4-1 at Newcastle just 72 hours earlier.
Brighton were back to as full strength XI as De Zerbi can field at the moment, the manager working wonders with his squad rotation to get the Albion through such a tough schedule of 14 matches in eight weeks to round off the season.
Kaoru Mitoma had the first chance of the game when shooting wide on seven minutes. Mitoma was clearly frustrated with himself for missing that good opportunity.
Moises Caicedo went close next with an effort saved by Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy. Southampton showed they posed a threat when Theo Walcott created an opportunity in the 16th minute.
From my position in the East Upper, I assumed the worst. Thankfully, Walcott’s good work was wasted by teammate Carlos Alcaraz firing well wide of Jason Steele’s left hand post. We got away with one there.
Almost as bad as that Alcaraz miss was Southampton dropping a clanger and losing possession on the edge of their own area.
Mitoma now had only McCarthy to beat but he placed his shot against the post, from where it bounced back into the arms of the grateful Saints goalkeeper to gather safely.
McCarthy was finally beaten on 29 minutes. Alexis Mac Allister fed Evan Ferguson, whose powerful low drive beat a defender and went straight through McCarthy.
Five goals in the Premier League now this season for Ferguson, who is not even 19-years-old yet. What a superstar the Albion have on their hands.
Taking the lead seemed to settle Brighton down and Southampton struggled to respond. Walcott did his best with an outside of the boot effort a long way wide to cheers from the North Stand.
The Saints supporters had mellowed somewhat after the opening goal, looking confused as the Albion sang “When the Saints go marching down” towards the South Stand.
A little below the belt, perhaps. It took Southampton seven years to make it back to the Premier League after their last relegation. I wonder how they will fair next season back in the Championship?
Mitoma made up for those two earlier misses by doing what he does best, breaking at high speed towards an opposition defence.
The Japanese Bullet Train brushed past Romeo Lavia, who went to the ground. Referee Paul Tierney rightly waved played on, Mitoma flicked the ball with the outside of his right foot across to Ferguson to slam home his second of the day.
A great finish from Ferguson after great approach play by Mitoma. Brighton led 2-0 five minutes before half time and once a VAR check was completed, we could all relax now. Right?
Wrong! we all know how good James Ward-Prowse is at free kicks, penalties, corners and generally all-set pieces. That is why Gareth Southgate has him in the England Squad.
Southampton started the second half strongly and in the 58th minute, earned a corner. I said to my wife I thought Ward-Prowse would probably score direct from the corner here. She didn’t believe me.
The lady sitting the other side of me, however, seemed to appreciate the danger and put her head in her hands as Ward-Prowse delivered.
It did appear to be heading straight in before a glancing blow off the head of Southampton defender Mohamed Elyounoussi confirmed it. Brighton 2-1 Southampton.
Four minutes later and Walcott broke down the right following a perfect pass from, guess who, Ward-Prowse. It was reminiscent of the two goals Newcastle had scored in injury time on Thursday night.
Walcott put the ball in the back of the net and the scoreline looked like it had become 2-2. That was until VAR had a look and Walcott was found to be just offside.
Brighton fans rejoiced but none of this was particularly good for the blood pressure. It is a good job my GP sits in the West Stand rather than the East, otherwise he might have spotted me stressing and told me to go home!
Would there be any further action, I wondered? Southampton seemed disheartened by the offside and rather than trying to find another equaliser, they seemed more determined to add to their yellow card count.
It already stood at five when James Bree took out Mitoma, giving Brighton a set piece opportunity of their own. Pascal Gross delivered straight onto the head of Joel Veltman, denied a fantastic goal only by a strong save from McCarthy.
The Albion put their next set piece to good use. A corner was deflected to the right side of the penalty area for Gross to work some magic. He dummied, chopped back onto his left foot and threaded a shot through the eye of a needle to beat McCarthy.
Brighton’s saint had scored against the Saints. The Albion led 3-1 with 20 minutes or so left and that was surely that.
Mac Allister rocketed a shot just above the bar in the 84th minute but Brighton did not need another goal. The Albion easily navigated seven minutes of injury time before the full time whistle blew.
It was a privilege to be at the Amex, witnessing this amazing day and being part of the celebrations. I must say they were very moving.
The club had decided to send the players on a lap of honour, so that our younger fans could show their appreciation on a Sunday afternoon rather than at 10pm on a school night, as would have been the case if it happened after the City game on Wednesday.
All the players and their families walked around the pitch to tumultuous applause and thanks from the supporters. it was so lovely to see and really goes to show what a family-based club the Albion is.
It was also marvellous to witness our chairman Mr Bloom and his family celebrating along with CEO Mr Barber, who has been voted this year the Premier League CEO Of The Year. Many congratulations to him.
A special mention to for Mr Darren Gallis of Seagulls Travel, also delayed the departure of all the coaches so nobody had to miss the celebrations.
Mr Gallis and his team will now have European trips to plan, along with getting fans to home and away games in the Premier League next season.
Get your passports sorted folks. The sound of Sussex by the Sea is coming to Europe next season. Up the Albion.
Tony Noble @Noble1844Tony
