Two home games in four days: Great excitement, even when you’re 66
Here we went again! For the second time in four days, it was off to the Amex. The prospect of going to home matches in such quick succession never loses its excitement, even for a 66-year-old season ticket holder.
Conditions for the match against Chelsea were perfect. It didn’t rain, the temperature was above freezing and the scene was set for Brighton to cause more problems for the Champions of Europe.
Chelsea could have moved into second place with victory at the Amex. With the way that Thomas Tuchel had reacted to the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge last month, Brighton however had even more reason to make things difficult for the visitors.
True to form, Tuchel continued his grizzles again this time. He bleated on about having to play too many games. Compare that to our very own Graham Potter, who never moans. He and his squad just get on with the job.
How many of us thought as we entered the Amex, “Are we going to win tonight?” In my heart, it was going to finish 2-1 to the Albion – a prediction that might have seemed mad at the start of the season.
Not now though. There is always a possibility that this Brighton squad can win no matter the opposition, as they have shown on a regular basis.
I emphasises the word squad and not just team, because the depth we have to compete with so many players missing shows how the Albion are ever-developing.
Seagulls Travel gave us another great ride to the stadium with time to spare. With a hotdog in one hand and a bag of Wine Gums from the Albion Sweet Shop in the other, it was time to take a seat in the East Upper.
Our normal neighbours were unable to make the game, meaning there was extra room to jump up and down if the occasion arose.
It did not take long for such an opportunity, an amazing bit of football getting Jakub Moder the first chance of the game. I was out of my seat but it turned out prematurely; the ball fizzed just past the south goal, missing Kepa Arrizabalaga’s post by inches.
You could tell from that start that the lads were up for it. They worked hard for each other and the sense of togetherness was there for all to see, compared to Chelsea and their problems with Romelu Lukaku wanting away.
Chelsea remain a class team though. They drove forward and Cesar Azpilicueta found Robert Sanchez on his toes as Sanchez batted away a one handed save that he made look easy.
A short time later and Hakim Ziyech collected a short pass from N’Golo Kante. From outside the penalty area, Ziyech struck a shot towards Sanchez’s near post.
I would bet that it caught Sanchez out as he was going the right way, only to be beaten low to the ground at his near post. We had been playing the better football but a lucky shot suddenly had Chelsea one up.
The visitors nearly made it two a minute before half time. Callum Hudson-Odoi leathered way over the crossbar and into the North Stand, who made an incredible noise throughout the game. The atmosphere has been really good at both the Chelsea and Crystal Palace matches.
It was not long into the second half before Brighton began to peeper the Chelsea goal. Danny Welbeck started off proceedings but was just not able to get enough on an effort from a very tight angle on the left side.
More great play and real wizardry from Marc Cucurella and Dan Burn released Cucurella to play a nifty little chip back at the goal line.
Alexis Mac Allister met it but his shot was saved by Arrizabalga. I don’t think that stop got the credit it deserved, taking a deflection off Jorginho and looking destined for the very bottom corner of the goal.
Mac Allister took the resulting corner and what a delivery it was. The ball was sent to the penalty spot where Adam Webster met it unmarked, squarely thumping the ball with his head into the Chelsea net.
It was a great, great goal, as good a set piece routine as you will see. And boy was it deserved. The whole stadium – except the 3,000 visitors of course – went berserk.
Webster celebrated in front of the North Stand and emotions were high as some youngsters began climbing the wall, which as we all know is big no-no.
Watching the highlights back and you can see the delight on Potter’s face at his captain-for-the-night scoring. Leandro Trossard too looked so happy as he waited to be substituted on.
There were a full 30 minutes left to go and hopes were high Brighton could now go on and win the game. Trossard soon found his feet, using his technical skills to help Cucurella and Mac Allister move through Chelsea players with ease.
Another cross came in just missed by Neal Maupay. At this point, I am sure the players felt victory was within their grasp.
Chelsea though are not European Champions for nothing and they finished the stronger, including when making one great opportunity which ended with a long shot from Marcos Alonso going over the bar.
From the 80th minute to the 94th, the Albion had to battle away as if all their lives were at stake. Chelsea brought on Timo Werner with Tommy Tucker… sorry, Thomas Tuchel doing all he could to urge his side to find a winner.
The Blues could not get there though. The applause and cheering afterwards reflected what a great effort it was from the Albion to hold the Champions of Europe for the second time in three weeks.
Webster and Dan Burn in particular earned their applause. Webster I am sure will be in the sights of Gareth Southgate, not just for his defending but the way he glides past opposition players so easily.
Burn’s job meanwhile was to stick with Lukaku all the time. When Lukaku gets going, he can be like a Sherman Tank charging down the pitch. Burn was spot on in preventing that ever happening, providing a real helping hand.
It is a privilege to watch Brighton at the moment. The hard graft is paying off and is an absolute credit to the players, Potter and the management team. Leicester City – you’re next!
Tony Noble @Noble1844Tony
