Albion 2 Watford 0

Albion sorted out their home woes before the fans returned.

But it makes it rather more special when the faithful are actually there to enjoy it – and help out when needed.

The crowds are back and will have their part to play in good and bad times over the coming months.

One hopes and suspects they noted a difference, maybe a greater maturity, between the team from whom they were separated in early 2020 and that which is starting this campaign.

Albion, unbeaten in their last four games behind closed doors at the Amex and then conquerors of Manchester City before 8,000 in May, are up and running in some style in near-full stadia.

They emerged dishevelled but not dispirited from an early storm at Burnley to grab a win.

Then they harnessed the prevailing energy to good effect at the Amex to have a game more than half-won by half-time.

It is taking a bit longer to get to grounds now than last season, as the hugely impressive Adam Webster pointed out after Watford had been defeated.

But it is also taking a lot longer for the post-win glow to fade with the public back to add an extra dimension.

You could still hear the singing in the distance as a showered and changed Webster spoke to The Argus via Zoom a little while after the game.

“I think it had to be that way on a day like today with the crowd back,” he said of the Seagulls’ high-tempo start.

“Alexis (Mac Allister) won the ball back from kick-off and that really set the tempo. A great start for us and hopefully we kick on now.”

Leandro Trossard probably should have shot inside ten seconds.

Shane Duffy scored after ten minutes as Albion made the most of the sort of strong start of which they had been victims when going behind at Turf Moor.

Fans will play their part in good times and tougher occasions.

The relationship between the home crowd and Graham Potter was not always total harmony just before Covid hit.

One sensed a degree of irritation on both sides at times.

But they all want the same thing and appreciation of what Potter is doing will have increased since then.

We have all missed occasions – and wins – which feel like this.

The first half was a lot of fun, the second more a case of job done.

Watford, caught in the headlights in the first 45 minutes, were a bit better in the second and had a bright sub in Cucho Hernandez, latterly of Getafe (apparently there is some decent talent over there).

But that is part of it too. Those second halves when away sides attack with renewed vigour towards their own fans in the South Stand.

Albion had enough about them to withstand that and might have added to Duffy’s first-half header and Neal Maupay’s thumping finish.

Potter said: “I think we played well in the first half to enable us to get the second goal, which gives a bit of more of a cushion. Then, when we had to, we defended well.

“In the Premier League you can’t be perfect for 90 minutes, you can’t be controlled for the whole game.

“The opposition have got too much quality and they are going to have moments in the game when they are going to be on top.

“It’s important that the players understand that, the crowd understands that.

“That they help us get through it, which they did.”

When Adam Lallana left the action, he did so to a standing ovation from 20-odd thousand for the first time at his current home ground.

He, like several others, has been an Albion player many have only seen on TV.

“Really disciplined, a real understanding of what we are trying to do,” was Potter’s assessment of his contribution.

“You can see Adam’s quality. He takes the ball, has personality, helps everyone around him.

“I thought it was a really good performance.”

Duffy and the fans, meanwhile, are reigniting a strong relationship of old.

His opening was fairy-tale stuff, a header bouncing in off the underside of the bar.

Webster is happy to recognise Albion are at their most effective playing with a back three so, if that combination clicks, the whole set-up should function better.

A one-goal lead did not reflect the hosts’ first-half control but it was doubled just before the break.

Yves Bissouma was quicker and stronger than ponderous Watford as they looked to play out from the back.

He nicked the ball away and Maupay crashed home the finish.

The striker’s afternoon quickly took a downhill turn when he fell awkwardly in a tussle and hurt his right shoulder. We nervously await updates.

That’s two goals in two games for Maupay – just as he managed last year.

Potter was asked what was the difference in his team between this season and last.

Well they haven’t played Chelsea in the first two games, as they did last year, is one obvious answer.

But there has to be progression too after time together and lessons learned, sometimes the hard way.

Potter said: “We’ve got three more points and we have been together for another year.

“We are understanding each other better.

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“The players have got better. The performances have improved.

“The margins are probably a little bit with us at the moment and last year they weren’t so much.

“Lots of things. Credit to the players. They keep working every day, trying to be consistent.

“Hopefully there is a steady improvement.”

There is one other massive difference, of course.

It applies to every team but how you use it – when it’s for you and when it’s against you - will have a huge bearing on the season.

The crowds are back. And this was the happiest of returns.

Albion: Sanchez, Webster, Dunk, Duffy, March Bissouma, Lallana, Gross, Trossard (Mwepu 71), Mac Allister, Maupay (Connolly 45). Subs not used: Steele, Moder, Alzate, Zeqiri, Caicedo, Roberts, Richards.

Goals: Duffy 10, Maupay 41.

Booked: Webster (foul), Duffy (foul), Mwepu (foul), March (time-wasting).

Watford: Bachmann; Cathcart (King 65), Kabasele, Ekong, Masina; Cleverley, Etebo, Louza (Hernandez 46); Sarr, Dennis, Sema (Deeney 78). Subs not used: Foster, Ngakia, Rose, Fletcher, Sierralta, Baah.

Referee: Anthony Taylor Attendance: 29,485