De Zerbi is the real final piece of the Brighton puzzle
Roberto De Zerbi appeared in a social media film clip recently saying that “the fans are the final piece of the puzzle”. Really, it is De Zerbi who has been the man to take the Albion onto another level.
The 4-0 win over West Ham United was a football extravaganza. I am still in shock from how well Brighton played; the quality of their football and the confidence running through the squad is so impressive.
When the team are in this sort of form, then the atmosphere normally follows. If Brighton are to make it to Europe, then it is our job to be the 12th man in every game between now and the end of the season.
Watching Liverpool beat Manchester United 7-0 on Sunday, I found it interesting that You’ll Never Walk Alone is played immediately before kick off with the players lined up on the pitch.
United had to wait to kick off until the anthem was finished. Imagine if we did that with Sussex by the Sea? It would have the Amex singing at the first whistle and might encourage the West and East Stands to help the North turn up the volume by continuing into the game.
Brighton made a fast start against West Ham without needing too much vocal encouragement. Solly March weaved through four, yes four, West Ham defenders to shoot just wide.
The lack of De Zerbi storming around his dugout at that miss was noticeable. De Zerbi was serving a one-game touchline ban and he looked very snug in a warm coat and scarf up in the director’s box.
He remained in contact with the bench via mobile phone, where assistant manager Andrea Maldera was doing the job of organising the troops.
March was again involved as Brighton took the lead with a quarter of an hour played. He hit a long cross ball to Kaoru Mioma on the left.
Mitoma beat Ben Johnson to move into the penalty area where he was pushed by Jarrod Bowen and tumbled to the ground.
Referee Stuart Attwell had a good view and gave a penalty for the clumsy interaction by Bowen. Hammers goalkeeper Alphonse Areola went the right way but Alexis Mac Allister hit the spot kick with too much power into the top left corner. 1-0 to the Albion.
De Zerbi had given Jason Steele just the second Premier League start of his career. Steele was soon making a fantastic save from Bowen to prevent West Ham equalising.
Adam Webster is someway ahead of Steele and this was his 100th Premier League appearance. He made a good intervention on Danny Ings to remind everyone why he is one of the most dependable players Brighton have.
Half time arrived with the score at 1-0. Both sides could have scored more and I was a little worried that the lead was only one.
The smash-and-grab Fulham pulled off last time at the Amex was still in the memory; what if West Ham repeated the trick with an underserved equaliser or worse?
There was no need to worry. I understand De Zerbi visited the Albion dressing room at half time and whatever he said worked wonders as the Albion were magnificent in the second half.
With De Zerbi giving his team talk, we were treated to Leonardo Ulloa being on the pitch. It was great to see him looking so well. I wonder if he spent the game wondering how many he could score in this Brighton team?
Ulloa would have easily put away the second Albion goal, netted seven minutes after the break by Joel Veltman. Alexis Mac Allister did one of his cheeky back heel flicks which had to be deflected wide for a corner.
Pascal Gross took and Veltman chested into the empty goal at the back post. Not one West Ham player had picked him up. It was shocking defending and you could understand the frustration of the visiting fans.
Brighton were starting to motor now. Young Evan Ferguson let off a sweet shot from the right that needed a great save from Areola. Nayef Aguerd then produced a last man tackle to deny Ferguson a tap in.
Albion goal number three was the result of some glorious football. Gross crossed from the right and Mitoma the Japanese Bullet Train arrived at the far platform with perfect timing to slide the ball the correct side of the post.
Julio Enciso was deprived of his first Brighton goal by a flying save onto the bar from Areola. It fell to Danny Welbeck to add the fourth, firing a low shot through a group of players and into the far corner.
The football was brilliant and the whole afternoon wonderful entertainment. Brighton are starting to play like a top four side and it is largely down to that man De Zerbi.
It is enough to bring a tear to the eye. These players have the belief, the skill, the determination and the coaching team to continue to improve.
The infrastructure around them is generating success and that comes right from the top. Brighton must be the envy of most of the Premier League right now as we head to great heights under the management of the master De Zerbi.
Up the Albion.
Tony Noble @Noble1844Tony
