Six points from three home games leaves Europe in Brighton hands

Before Brighton began their run of three home games against Wolves, Manchester United and Everton, how many points would you have been happy to see the Albion take?

Despite the 5-1 defeat to the Toffees, we remain in the hunt for European qualification with our fate in our own hands thanks to six points.

Had Brighton beaten Wolves and Everton and lost to United rather than beating United and losing to Everton, would everyone be as downcast?

Probably not, which is why I look at that magical Thursday evening at the Amex, the performance of the Albion and what pundits and opposition fans said about us as being the real Brighton. Everyone is allowed an off-day after all, which is what we saw against those sticky Toffees.

To be a season ticket holder at the Amex watching the Albion play Manchester United was a real privilege. The Sussex coastline had a few early evening light showers but they cleared before kick off to leave a lovely late Spring night, perfect for football.

As the sun set before kick off, it left the packed South Stand of away fans bathed in light. Most of them had probably had an easy journey from London and the south (I would love to know how many true Mancunians were there).

Erik ten Hag walked over to the United fans at 7:15pm, 45 minutes before kick off. He posed for selfies with those in the stands, a nice touch from a man who comes across as a charming Dutchman.

Ten Hag warmly greeted Mr Paul Ince, who was part of the Sky Sports pundits team, like a true gentleman. None of it surprised me as I have many good friends in the Netherlands from my days as a firefighter.

Watching the Sky coverage back, Mr Ince appeared to be a worried United supporter. Mr Jamie Redknapp on the other hand had nothing but praise for Brighton, Mr Tony Bloom and Mr Paul Barber.

Mr Redknapp believed that the Albion would do very well over their remaining matches and that Europe was a very realistic target. It remains that way, even after the Everton game.

Sky also interviewed Mr Barber and Adam Lallana pitch side. This provided a reminder of how lucky we are to have really top people fully behind the scenes and with its best interests at heart, unlike at other clubs we all know that will remain nameless.

24 hours before Brighton 1-0 Manchester United and I begun to fret a little. Why had there been no smiling press conference from Robert De Zerbi?

I did not know until arriving at the Amex and seeing a tweet from BBC Radio Sussex‘s Johnny Cantor that De Zerbi had been ill.

Johnny confirmed that the manager had recovered well enough to be in the dugout at the Amex. De Zerbi would probably be the first to tell you it would have been no problem had he not been there, but I was nonetheless delighted he was present as Brighton looked for revenge against their FA Cup semi final conquerors.

A family member who is an avid United fan told me he was predicting a 2-1 win for his team. My prediction was 3-1 to the Albion.

We both fancied goals, and so how wrong were we! To get through 95 minutes with the scoreline at 0-0 was reminiscent of Wembley.

Most United supporters seem to think they deserved to win that day. Well, that is rubbish as far as I am concerned. And the same goes for those saying United were robbed on Thursday night.

One on social media said the referee had cost them. My reply to that was you have no idea what that is like. Sit through 90 minutes like Spurs 2-1 Brighton last month and then you will know what a robbery is like.

This same fan went onto claim Kaoru Mitoma should have been sent off after he dived three times to try and win penalties and that Adam Webster deserved a straight red card for a foul on Bruno Fernandes.

They also stated that Luke Shaw was pushed in the back, causing him to handle the ball in the box. All the evidence, both video and still pictures, do not show any kind of push.

The only thing this deluded United fan was correct about was that Andre Mariner was poor – but the referee was poor for both sides and that meant he did not have a bearing on the result.

United supporters calling up talkSPORT afterwards were more generous towards Brighton. One said that United played as individuals on the pitch rather than a team.

He added that if you which the Albion and the style of play De Zerbi pioneers, every player is in sync and knows what to do. That is why Brighton were able to carve through United like a hot knife through butter on several occasions.

The Amex was in great voice before kick off as the teams emerged, with Moises Caicedo wearing a body cam as part of a new idea from Sky.

It was shame Caicedo could not keep it on to show Mr Mariner the up-close footage of when he got chopped down.

Both sides set their stalls out to attack earlier. Within one minute and 34 seconds, Anthony had a shot just wide of Jason Steele’s left-hand post.

Brighton began to settle with their first chance coming when Mitoma intercepted a poor pass from Victor Lindelof to Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Mitoma was in on goal but rather than dribbling past David De Gea or squaring to the unmarked Julio Enciso, he shot.

The ball hit the United goalkeeper directly in the face, appearing to knock him flat-out like a light. It took more than five minutes for De Gea to be readied to play again.

Plenty of sparks flew in a hard fought, end-to-end game. It was scoreless at the break and as the minutes clicked by, I began to worry that United would nick it in the final minutes as they often find a way of doing.

Steele was a huge reason as to why nobody had scored after 90 minutes, making at least four magnificent saves. He has been in wonderful form over recent weeks. De Gea too made some great stops as Brighton tried desperately to find a way through.

And then with the full time whistle imminent, almost out of nowhere, play was stopped and Andre Mariner told by VAR to have a look at a potential handball against Shaw.

Alexis Mac Allister sensibly had the ball already and made sure to stay out the way of the resulting melee as United players complained to Mr Mariner after he pointed to the spot.

The stadium appeared to go quiet as Mac Allister stepped up to take the penalty. He placed the ball into the top corner, so coolly and calmly.

With no time left on the clock, the final whistle blew immediately after United had kicked off again. It proved to be the sweetest way possible to beat United, not just because of what happened 11 days earlier at Wembley but also recalling the time they won at the Amex a few seasons ago with a penalty awarded after full time.

If Brighton reproduce that footballing performance and fight over the remaining five games, then Everton will remain just a blip.

With our support, the Albion can overcome the setback just as they did after losing at Nottingham Forest.

Tony Noble @Noble1844Tony