The half-time whistle went, the two teams headed for the tunnel and Brighton’s boys of ’83 emerged on to the pitch.
They were special guests to mark the 40th anniversary of this club’s first and only FA Cup final appearance. They talked of Wembley and fond memories and the new ground being broken by Roberto De Zerbi’s current crop. And then the sprinklers came on and drenched these heroes of yesteryear.
Nothing can rain on the parade of Brighton’s new history boys. Not now. Not after this win over already-relegated Southampton, secured thanks to Evan Ferguson’s first-half double and a record-equalling third from Pascal Gross. Brighton are steaming towards uncharted waters.
With two games left, De Zerbi’s side are sixth, three points clear of Aston Villa. European football is secure for the first time ever. Only two defeats and a goal-difference swing of 17 can deny them a place in the Europa League. Villa await on the final day but here Brighton players and staff re-emerged for a lap of honour. To thank their supporters and digest what they have done.
Captain Lewis Dunk walked out first. His Brighton journey began at MK Dons in May 2010. Now he can dream of trips to continental powerhouses. ‘I didn’t believe it could happen when I made my debut,’ the defender said. And no wonder — this club were in League One back then. ‘It’s a dream come true for all of us,’ Gross added. ‘The best day in my football life.’
Roberto De Zerbi has helped Brighton secure their place in history with a top-five finish
Celebrations were led by Lewis Dunk, who has been at the club since their League One days
The celebrations started well before the final whistle but only after Southampton threatened to spoil the party in four bonkers second-half minutes. Mohamed Elyounoussi halved the deficit with a glancing header and then Theo Walcott raced clear to level.
Alas, the winger was offside and, before long, Brighton had restored their two-goal lead and supporters were singing and dancing once more. De Zerbi joined in, taking a photo on the pitch with his staff. But then came a warning and a message to owner Tony Bloom.
‘Victory can be dangerous,’ the Italian said. ‘If you celebrate the victory, it is normal but you have to improve and work harder when you are winning than when you are losing… now is the crucial moment for the club.
‘Tony is the first fan of Brighton but now I am waiting for him. We have to build a new squad… we have to arrive ready.’
Brighton would be wise to do everything they can to keep this brilliant coach. No matter that De Zerbi insisted: ‘I never thought to change team… it’s an honour (to work here).’
Brighton players celebrated their success wildly on the pitch after the final whistle
Tony Bloom (centre) would be wise to listen to the urgings of his head coach ahead of the upcoming transfer window
Southampton, meanwhile, will soon begin preparing for life in the Championship under their fourth manager in a year. They are expected to appoint Russell Martin in the coming days. But no one could accuse Ruben Selles of phoning it in here. The Spaniard hadn’t heard about reports on his potential replacement until after the game.
‘I don’t know anything. I didn’t read anything at all,’ he said. ‘It has not changed anything in my position… I would just say that I’m very respectful of the club. I expect if something goes on like that and it goes on before the Liverpool game, somebody will come to me and communicate to me in the proper way.’
He expects to be in charge on Sunday. ‘If something changes, it’s not my decision,’ Selles added. ‘I’m not worried about my future — my contract expires at the end of the season… I cannot control it so I cannot spend time on that.’
This defeat makes it 12 matches without a win for Southampton. They sounded out Manchester City coach Enzo Maresca before turning to Swansea boss Martin. Here’s hoping this appointment works. Bad managerial decisions cost them dear this season and Selles was left with an impossible job. No such chaos down the coast at Brighton.
They should have led before Ferguson drove a shot underneath Alex McCarthy. Kaoru Mitoma missed a couple of glorious openings before creating Ferguson’s second with a lovely cross.
Carlos Alcaraz had earlier spurned a brilliant chance to give Southampton the lead. Beyond that, though, the visitors offered little warning of the fightback that was to come.
At the other end of the spectrum their opponents Southampton are preparing for the Championship next season
They showed no signs of pegging Brighton back again after Gross found the near corner. It was the German’s 26th Premier League goal, equalling a club record. Very soon, Gross and his team-mates will write more entries into the Albion history books.
De Zerbi knew this was possible back in February, when they dropped points against rivals Crystal Palace. The reaction of his players told him something: ‘That moment was the first time when I spoke with them about the Champions League,’ he said. ‘Our target inside the dressing room was the Champions League.’
That has proved beyond them. Not that anyone inside the Amex seemed to care after this result.
‘I’m lost for words,’ said goalkeeper Jason Steele. ‘I hope everyone’s passport is in date!’
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