‘Little old Brighton’ tag won’t last much longer on current trajectory
I appeared on the BBC Radio Sussex Weekend Warm-Up Show on Friday evening before Brighton made the trip to Manchester City.
Alongside editor Tim Durrans, it was an excellent opportunity to discuss the Albion’s current form and six game winning streak.
The big question we pondered was whether Brighton could make it a seventh victory in succession at the Etihad against Manchester City in a fixture which could potentially have a huge bearing on the rest of the season.
To even be in the conversation for Champions League football is a stunning achievement. And it made me think. What frustrates me when listening to TV or national radio is the way the Albion are still thought of as ‘Little old Brighton’.
This viewpoint will surely have to change soon if the squad continues playing the way is has since the 7-0 defeat at Forest. Current trajectory could see the Albion finish in the top six for the second time in three seasons. No little old club does that.
Thankfully, BBC Sussex extends Brighton more respect. It also caters for those of us who cannot afford to travel to away games.
Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall give us all the action and news – whether good or bad – via the radio and through the Albion website.
News like Lewis Dunk accompanying the Albion squad to the Etihad. It is great to know that even if the Brighton captain cannot be involved because of his current rib injury, he is still there to offer support and encouragement to his teammates.
Before kick off, I felt a result was doable for the Albion. The players offered further early confidence, making what Warren described as a bright start.
It took only three minutes for Joao Pedro to have a first attempt, just missing the left side of the City goal. Three minutes later and Diego Gomez played an excellent cross field pass to Jack Hinshelwood on the right.
Hinshelwood returned a cross into the box, where Kaoru Mitoma clashed with a defender and home goalkeeper Stefan Ortega dropped the ball despite having two hands on it.
Mitoma bundled the fumble into the back of the net but guess what? Referee Simon Hooper ruled out the goal after referring to VAR.
“It is going to be one of those games,” I thought to myself. That feeling deepened five minutes later when City took the lead.
Pedro lost possession, the home side broke and Omar Marmoush was tackled in the six yard box by Adam Webster. Some might even say Webster took out Marmoush, an assessment it would be difficult to argue against.
Mr Hooper had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Erling Haaland of course stepped up and rocketed the penalty home, sending Bart Verbruggen the wrong way.
Brighton were undeterred and set about trying to find an equaliser. Georginio Rutter led a good break, earning a free kick in a dangerous position after being brought down.
We were told over the radio that two Brighton players stood over the ball – Pervis Estupinan and Diego Gomez. Estupinan took the free kick and my word, what an effort it was.
Ortega had no chance. He could only watch the free kick beat him as a bystander to the whole event. The Albion were level after 21 minutes and all you could hear was the Seagulls faithful singing over 50,000 of their City counterparts.
The home side retook the lead when another mistake in possession from Brighton proved costly. Rutter was the guilty party this team, leading to Marmoush beating Verbruggen on 39 minutes. It was a cracking shot hit with speed and power from distance, leaving Verbruggen helpless.
City made an uncharacteristic error next, allowing Pedro to intercept a misplaced pass. However, Pedro was unable to punish the error as he missed the target with his shot.
The sort of opportunity Brighton cannot afford to squander if we want to finish in those Champions League places. But more on that in a minute…
Half time saw me put the kettle on and contemplate whether the Albion could strike another equaliser early in the second half to get themselves back in the game.
Well, that is precisely what happened. An excellent Estupinan corner was placed on the head of Adam Webster, who nodded down into the six yard box.
Hinshelwood swivelled and clipped a shot towards goal. The ball struck Abdukodir Khusanov and went in for an own goal.
Such a shame it was not awarded to Hinshelwood – but that could not stop me banging the desk I was sat at with excitement.
Brighton had the better chances to win it after that, even though City had long spells of dominating possession. Estupinan raced down the left at speed, being brought down by Marmoush.
Mr Hooper played a good advantage as Rutter fed Pedro down the left. Pedro crossed and it only needed a touch by Yankubu Minteh, who could not quite get there in time. The football was superb and had Pep Guardiola pacing up and down his technical area with concern.
City hit the post before the big opportunity I was eluding too earlier arrived. Pedro raced away down the wing and crossed for Carlos Baleba charging into the box.
With just Ortega to beat from 12 yards out, Baleba managed to put his shot almost into the operator cabin of one of the cranes behind the goal adding another tier to the Etihad.
That was the potentially game winning morning. Fabian Hurzeler could not quite believe what he had seen, although he did come out afterwards and praise Baleba. And rightly so. Baleba was magnificent in midfield.
When the full time whistle blew, it meant Brighton had secured their first ever point at the Etihad. It sets the Albion up perfectly going into the international break, still in the race for Europe and with an FA Cup quarter final at the Amex to look forward to.
Bring on Nottingham Forest. I am already counting down the days.
Tony Noble @Noble1844Tony
