Roast chicken, Mr Blobby and beating the famous Ajax

With the roof closed on the famous Johan Cruyff Arena to keep the rain out, Brighton came away from Amsterdam with three precious Europa League points.

Now, if I told you that Noel Edmonds had an interest in Ajax, you probably would not believe me. And you would be right to do so.

However, I could not help but think of Noel whenever our BBC Radio Sussex commentary team mentioned Ajax number nine Mr Brobbery.

By the time I realised that he was actually a fit and strong centre forward rather than a pink and yellow creature, I was in fits of laughter.

Whilst those of you lucky enough to travel to the Netherlands were arriving at the stadium, I settled down at the dining room table with a roast chicken dinner.

This was just what the doctor ordered after a long, hard day working. Watching the Albion do the business in such a brilliant way was a great end to Thursday night and sees us into second spot in Group B with seven points.

Leaders Marseille are only one ahead and as Warren Aspinall pointed out, a win and a draw from our final two matches may just see us through to the knockout rounds. Fingers crossed.

Warren also said he had been shopping for clogs for a co-presenter. Two of my East Upper colleagues were interviewed on TNT Sport before kick off and I wondered if they too would be coming home with any new footwear.

Speaking of clogs, the Albion starting XI proudly had three Dutch members as part of its back five – Bart Verbruggen, Joel Veltman and Jan Paul van Hecke. Veltman of course spent 19 years with Ajax and was no doubt excited about his homecoming.

Ajax have been going through a tough time of late but even so, to beat them 2-0 on their own patch was a fantastic result.

The only downside to the amazing win was James Milner, Lewis Dunk and Pervis Estupinan being lost to injury for the foreseeable future.

Milner only lasted seven minutes before being swiftly replaced by Billy Gilmour. Our Scottish international came on in midfield with Pascal Gross moving to left back.

Gross would end up switching a couple of more time between midfield and full back, almost like he was playing a game of musical chairs.

Almost from kick off, Van Hecke was tested by Mr Blobby… sorry, typo… Mr Brobbery. There were a couple of occasions where Van Hecke was so tight to Mr Brobbey that he could have been rolled.

Our Dutch defender though knew exactly what he was going, unlike Noel whenever Mr Brobbery popped up in Crinkly Bottom for a House Party!

The 15th minute brought the first of two goals really well worked between Simon Adingra and Ansu Fati. Adingra intercepted a poor Ajax pass and then played a superb ball through to Fati, who went through and fired into the bottom corner.

After the Albion had taken the lead, all you could hear was the away support. There sounded many more than the 2,600 inside the stadium. I am sure there were hundreds if not thousands in the bars and cafes of Amsterdam watching too.

Ajax had two appeals for first half penalties, the first against Gross when the ball was kicked straight at him. The referee from Montenegro was right there and correctly waved it away.

A short time later and Dunk put in a great tackle on Mr Brobbery, who went down shouting “Brobbery, Brobbery, Brobbery.” This was deemed a good and fair challenge from the Brighton captain.

The Albion went into half time 1-0 ahead. It would have been great to hear what Roberto De Zerbi said to the players. I am sure he was giving them all the encouragement he could to hold onto or even improve the lead, which of course they were able to do.

Joao Pedro almost made it 2-0 early in the second half via some wonderful footwork. You can see the signs of a great Brazilian player showing through in the way he runs with the ball. Pedro screamed loudly in frustration, knowing it would have been a great goal had he found the back of the net.

Then came a moment of magic to double the lead. Brighton broke from the halfway line and Fati slipped in Adingra in a role reversal from the opening goal. Adingra placed his shot perfectly beyond Diant Ramaj, the Ajax goalkeeper.

Gross nearly scored direct from an inswinging corner and Ramaj almost gave Fati another goal. Frustratingly, Fati could not make the opportunity count.

As the game entered the final 10 minutes, the Ajax fans suddenly came alive. I worried that the hosts were far from done as Verbruggen was called upon to make several great stops which showed Brighton can keep a clean sheet.

The Albion received a bit of luck too. Mr Brobbery hit the near post, the ball rolled along the line and hit the far post. With Brighton hearts in mouths, Veltman eventually appeared on the scene to clear to safety.

Igor Julio had to make a goal saving tackle but the Ajax revival proved too little, too late. The final whistle blew and we could all be proud of the Albion beating the famous Ajax. What a time to support the Seagulls.

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.