So much water under the bridge since losing 5-0 to Bournemouth
Before Tuesday night, Brighton had not beaten Bournemouth for some considerable time at their stadium. 16 years to be precise and only twice in 30.
This was a game which could have gone awfully wrong. The Albion however came through and did so well to keep at bay a Cherries side desperate for points as the fight off the threat of relegation.
I was not very confident, myself. I still remember the bashing they gave us at the Amex under Chris Hughton when winning 5-0. One of the worst days of the past 10 years to be a Brighton fan.
So much water has passed under the bridge since then, can it really be only four years ago that happened? Who would have thought leaving the Amex that day we would be talking about Brighton challenging for Europe above Chelsea and Liverpool in the table?
We now have a squad with nothing to fear from anyone. Before, a trip to Spurs would have been met with trepidation. Now Brighton go to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium confident of getting a result.
Spurs looked dreadful against Everton on Monday night and somehow became even worse when the Toffees went down to 10 men. Tottenham then followed suit in having Lucas Moura sent off, so he misses the Albion’s visit to North London.
A very late, superb goal from Michael Keane mirrored that famous Vincent Kompany strike for Manchester City a while back to give Everton a deserved draw which moves Spurs closer into our sights.
Like many of you, I could not make the midweek trip to the Vitality Stadium. It was down to BBC Radio Sussex to relay what was happening, via Johnny Cantor and ex-Albion striker Warren Aspinall.
Johnny, Warren, Adrian Harmes and all the team do sterling work in keeping us informed as to how the Seagulls are doing and long may that continue.
With the radio on, I turned the television into Chelsea against Liverpool and watched on mute. How would Bruno perform in his first game as caretaker manager? The answer was that both sides were awful. Brighton need not worry about either in the race for Europe.
The strength of the Albion squad was shown through Roberto De Zerbi resting Levi Colwill and Danny Welbeck. Adam Webster came in at the back and Evan Ferguson up front.
Before kick off, Johnny and Warren had to do their best to fight to be heard over nightclub disco music being blasted around the Vitality Stadium.
Warren told us of the days he played for Bournemouth, when club representatives walked around the old Dean Court with buckets trying to raise money for wages and other club necessities.
This took me on a flashback to the Goldstone. I am sure I remember similar happening when I was 11-years-old in 1966, or maybe I am dreaming? Even so, both Brighton and the Cherries have come a long way since.
I was twitchy before kick off, knowing that the first goal would be crucial. If Brighton could score and then add a second as quickly as possible, that would settle all the nerves stemming from the Albion’s poor record against Bournemouth.
There were a couple of early halts in play, one for religious reasons and the other because referee Darren Bond had problems with his communication kit. This has happened several times at the Amex too this season.
Brighton had to withstand a couple of early attacks before we heard the cry of GOAL in the 28th minute. And what a goal too.
Lewis Dunk passed down the left to Pervis Estupinan who crossed. That was blocked with the rebound falling to Kaoru Mitoma.
He squared to Ferguson, who impudently backheeled the ball into the bottom left corner without even looking at Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto.
At 18-years-old Ferguson, is a fantastic talent. He had so much skill and confidence and is certainly going to become one of the best strikers to have played for Brighton.
The Albion had a bit of a bad patch after taking the lead, giving the ball away too often and causing problems for themselves.
Jason Steele made a great save from Dominic Solanke and then another from the same player with a second attempt cut out beautifully by Webster.
Hamed Traore put wide missing a massive opportunity for the hosts. Thank goodness, I thought to myself, although the worried tone creeping into the voice of our commentators suggested Brighton might need a few more let offs from Bournemouth.
The Albion did, however, make it to half time 1-0 ahead. They might have moved 2-0 ahead when Ferguson pivoted wonderfully and let a shot fly which was just wide of Neto’s post.
That was the beginning of a full-on start to the second half which had me on the edge of my settee. This was in stark contrast to what was happening on the TV at Stamford Bridge, enough to send anyone watching to sleep.
Ferguson scooped an effort over the bar whilst leaning back and Joel Veltman raced in and let a shot go. He too was guilty of leaning back with the ball posing more of a threat to the Bournemouth fans behind the goal than Neto.
Pascal Gross put a strike straight down the throat of Neto, who parried for a corner. Brighton were beginning to finish strongly and De Zerbi obviously wanted to maintain the momentum as he made some bold subs, bringing on Julio Enciso and Yasin Ayari.
Enciso was quickly into the game with a first attempt just wide of the left hand post. It did not take him long to find the back of the net, some great footwork creating space through which he practically walked the ball into the back of the net.
What a first goal in Brighton colours for Enciso. I am certain it will not be his last either, and the togetherness of the squad was shown through the way in which they all wanted to celebrate with their young teammate and the fans at the full time whistle.
I still have to pinch myself that the Albion are sixth in the Premier League. Aston Villa are chasing us down, but why worry about what is happening below us when we have Spurs in our own sights?
Everything crossed for a good performance on Saturday.
Tony Noble @Noble1844Tony
