Battling wins like at Newcastle make you extra proud of Brighton

It was late Friday afternoon when I heard that all the bags were loaded onto the plane and Brighton were on their way from London Gatwick to Newcastle International Airport.

Direct flights between the two have not existed for several years. By the following day, the Albion had justified their special charter and not spending time sat on a coach or train by battling to a 1-0 victory over the Toon Army.

This was such a massive three points for Brighton. When the full time whistle went, I felt immense pride at how the Albion had won through determination and hard work against a good Newcastle team who had not lost a home game since January. There is something about backs to the wall victories like these which makes them extra special.

Whilst the players enjoyed their flight to the North East, it was less straightforward for fans, whose journeys I understand were disrupted on the railways.

To all those who could afford and managed to get to St James’ Park, a huge round of applause. Not only were you there, but you could be heard over the airwaves singing above the 45,000-plus home supporters.

Our faithful BBC Radio Sussex presenters told it was a sunny autumn afternoon in Newcastle with temperatures of 15°C. Similar to what those of us back in Sussex were experiencing.

Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall also reported that one of the Toon Army’s big flags became tangled up in a twist before the teams came onto the pitch.

Around half an hour later and Newcastle also had their knickers in a twist when Danny Welbeck scored the only goal.

Lewis Dunk went one up as we say in golf, winning the toss and turning Newcastle around. It meant the home side were not playing towards the Gallowgate End in the second half as they usually do. The Albion were obviously hoping it would give them an advantage in the closing stages.

Newcastle made a fast start with plenty of pressure applied down their left thanks to Anthony Gordon. It looked like Joel Veltman would have his work cut out.

Veltman though was magnificent, showing just what a good defender he is when asked to cope with a dangerous winger.

The Toon remained well on top through the opening 30 minutes. It was strange watching the highlights to see close up shots of Eddie Howe looking quite uneasy even though his side had the upper hand.

Bart Verbruggen made the first of maybe six-plus significant saves to deny Alexander Isak. The result could have been very different without Verbruggen showing why he is now an international class goalkeeper for the Netherlands.

All that defensive hard work paid off when Brighton took the lead on 45 minutes with what Warren called “an absolute smash and grab.”

Dunk played a good ball forward from some five yards inside the centre D in his own half. Welbeck brought it under control and found the feet of Georginio Rutter.

Rutter immediately slid the ball straight back to Welbeck, who squeezed through two defenders and clinically fired into the top corner.

It sounded as if the volume had suddenly been turned off amongst the home sections of St James’. All you could hear over the airwaves were 3,000 Albion fans celebrating, miles away up in the top deck.

Verbruggen continued to perform in the second half, ensuring the Albion did not crash and Burn. Or should that be crash and Dan Burn?

Newcastle we were told returned to the pitch early, fired up by whatever Howe had said. Brighton strolled out all relaxed, alongside referee Peter Bankes.

The Toon Army ramped up the pressure but Brighton had chances too once Kaoru Mitoma came on for Evan Ferguson.

Of course, there was only one downside when Welbeck received a blow to the back. It was a stab to the heart to see a player with five goals in eight Premier League games this season stretchered off and receiving oxygen.

I feared the worst. But just before climbing into bed on Saturday night, I did a quick check to see if there was any update on Welbeck’s condition.

It was so lovely to see a photo of him sitting in his British Airways leather aircraft seat, smiling and giving the thumbs up.

Welbeck thanked the Albion medical team and staff at Newcastle Royal Infirmary, adding that he was a bit battered and bruised but doing okay.

Like the rest of this Brighton team and Fabian Hurzeler, Welbeck is a fighter. It was enough to send Newcastle to a first home defeat in 10 months.

Tony Noble @Noble1844Tony