What an end to a fantastic 2023 it was for Brighton & Hove Albion. Before we get to the amazing win over Spurs, I think many congratulations are in order for chairman Mr Tony Bloom.
The day after the Albion beat Tottenham 4-2 at the American Express Stadium, Mr Bloom was made an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List for services to football and the City of Brighton & Hove. A well-deserved honour for the man who has taken the Seagulls to heights never previously dreamed of.
From the Spurs game itself, there is so much to write about. But I want to start with an observation from the respective manager’s pre-match press conferences.
Roberto De Zerbi is always very honest and appears to say what he really feels. He always looks the reporters in the eye, and it appears he answers the questions put to him very well.
However, as a person who teaches investigators for a living, I am always a little sad that the journalists present do not quiz De Zerbi with questions which would provoke more than a yes or no answer.
Some of the reporters are better than others, in fairness. But much of the time, the poor questioning lets De Zerbi off the hook!
It was interesting to compare how De Zerbi is when dealing with the media to the demeanour of Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou in his press conference.
Postecoglou looked and sounded poorly. I wondered if he had been suffering with flu-like symptoms. He did not seem at all like the very upbeat guy who forged such a bond with the press when he first arrived at Tottenham and they were they were the early Premier League pace setters.
Needless to say, Postecoglou’s mood had not improved by the time he left the Amex. He could not look the TV reporter in the eye in his post-match interview, only able to insist his players gave it their all with so many injuries.
Rather, it looked like Spurs had enjoyed a little too much Christmas pudding. And Tottenham are not the only ones suffering with injuries. Just ask De Zerbi.
To play on December 28th made a very pleasant change from a Boxing Day fixture. It would have also been well received by those who work in the many different roles serving supporters each matchday, giving them Christmas off.
That included those who provide Seagulls Travel to and from the Amex. I was on the coach from Lindfield for the Spurs match and whilst waiting for pickup, even passers-by were wishing the Albion good luck as they walked by where I was standing.
That was a nice touch, although I realised afterwards they were maybe Arsenal or Aston Villa fans wanting Brighton to do them a favour!
We arrived at the Amex with 64 minutes to spare until kick off after another smooth, stress-free ride. I browsed the superstore to see how Seagulls Best Ever Season Volume 2 is selling – it looked like Santa might have picked some up for Christmas.
Then for the final time in 2023, the players appeared on the pitch to the ever-glorious sound of Sussex by the Sea. All pundits from our BBC Radio Sussex commentary team to those on Amazon Prime seemed to think it would be a game of goals and how right they were.
It was also reported that De Zerbi has made more changes to his XI than any other Premier League manager this season – and Brighton continue to win.
That is not all down to luck. It is down to great coaching and fantastic team management by De Zerbi and his team.
Spurs started the game quite brightly led by the Lone Ranger, their number 21 Dejan Kulusevski having his face masked up.
A free kick from just outside the box hammered into the Albion wall, after which Danny Welbeck provided the first shot on target.
Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario made a great save, which would become one of the themes of the night despite Brighton scoring four times.
Vicario’s second stop was also from Welbeck. This time, a close range effort which drew a reaction save when Vicario appeared to be going the opposite way.
James Milner was making his 35th career appearance against Spurs. It was his best game in a Brighton shirt so far; to watch him play, you would not think he will turn 38-years-old later in January.
Milner was involved in the opening goal, coming via a really slick move. The veteran found Joao Pedro, who cut into the box where Tottenham players looked too afraid to tackle for fear of conceding a penalty.
Pedro laid off to Jack Hinshelwood to do the rest, letting off a powerful shot to give Brighton the lead with only 11 minutes played.
Nine minutes later and it was 2-0. Pedro won a corner taken from the left by Pascal Gross and headed towards goal by Jan Paul van Hecke.
The ball hit the far post and fell towards Welbeck, who virtually had the shirt torn from his back by Kulusevski. Initially, referee Jarred Gillett waved play on until being sent to the pitch side monitor.
There could be no doubt it was a penalty. Pedro collected the ball and readied himself, knowing it would be given. The respective captains Lewis Dunk and Son Heung-min appeared to be in discussion over what punishment Kulusevski should face.
After all that, Pedro was cool as a cucumber to send Vicario the wrong way. De Zerbi as always could not watch, even though Pedro is yet to miss from 12 yards this season.
This was reported as being the first time under Postecoglou Spurs had trailed 2-0. It could have become worse for the visitors before half time.
Milner almost curled a rocket of shot in, Facundo Buonanotte slotted one home but was flagged offside and Vicario made a superb save to just about touch a Pedro lob wide.
Spurs have played some good attacking football this season and 2-0 at half time did not seem like a safe lead for Brighton. The Albion needing more whilst Tottenham sought a way back would make for a blinding second half.
For the first 25 minutes after the break, it was all Brighton. Pervis Estupinan replaced Igor Julio at half time and did not take long to show us all what we have been missing in his long injury absence.
Estupinan caught a shot which travelled at 60mph into the far corner, nearly ripping the net off to put the Albion 3-0 ahead.
Brighton were not done there. A move started by Billy Gilmour worked though Jakub Moder to Evan Ferguson, who was brought down in the box.
Penalty number two of the night for the Albion and no need for Mr Gillett to be told by VAR this time. Pedro did the honours once again to make it Brighton 4-0 Spurs.
God, it was exciting. And then excitement turned to worry as Spurs attempted a comeback. Goals in the space of four minutes from Alejo Veliz and Ben Davies halved the deficit, after which Brighton lost all shape and momentum.
The Albion though held strong, much to the anger of Richarlison in particular. He saw two goals ruled out for offside and was treated to a loud rendition of “He’s gonna cry in a minute”, which only seemed to annoy him further!
With the way the game finished, there was relief when the full time whistle blew – bringing to an end an incredible 2023 for Brighton.
All I can say is thank you to the Albion for such an amazing evening and an amazing year, one which we as fans will never forget.
Thank all of you who read the articles which WAB publish, and please don’t forget my book which you can obtain from the Amex Superstore or the link below.
I shall be on a world tour with the book in January with visits to Sydney and Auckland. To all you Seagull Supporters in Australia and New Zealand; listen out for dates, and I will have copies of the book with me.
Roll on 2024!
Tony Noble @Noble1844Tony
Seagulls Best Ever Season Volume 2 charts Brighton’s record breaking 2022-23 campaign through the eyes of Tony Noble, an East Stand Upper season ticket holder at the American Express Stadium. It is available from Waterstones, WHSmith, Amazon Bookstore and all good bookshops as well as the Albion Superstore at the Amex and via this link.
