How good a Europa night was Brighton v Marseille?

The French outfit were backed by their customary passionate support, complete with giant flags, megaphone and flares.

But the home hordes were clearly in the mood to make a noise before the game and showed both support and patience on a momentous night.

There were some contrasts in that backing.

Marseille fans – and French in general - tend to provide an unwavering chorus almost irrespective of what is happening on the pitch while Albion’s noise levels – and English in general – tend to ebb and flow with the action.

And that second bit was crucial in a 1-0 win for the Seagulls.

The Albion support was not always at full blast, far from it, but there was a comprehension of the task their side were facing during those periods when they struggled to find a way through.

And the noise would then rise again just when their needed a lift.

After Joao Pedro scored, there was a pause for smoke to clear.

And, at the end, scenes were enjoyed immensely, perhaps reminiscent of the win over Manchester United last season or the night the top-six finish was rubber-stamped against Manchester City.

AEK, Ajax and OM have all brought an extra edge to game night at the Amex.

It comes with a flipside. Albion are the only team in that Group B quartet who have not had a domestic fixture abandoned or postponed due to crowd trouble this season – be it as direct punishment or as a consequence of events elsewhere.

Seagulls fans have experienced the pros and cons of life on their travels.

There was an ironic cheer when it was announced that OM supporters would be held back last night.

More than anything, they have experienced the excitement of Euro night at the Amex.

The onset of Spring will bring great expectations as to what happens next.

In terms of the game itself, this was a different kind of contest.

Gennaro Gattuso had said his side would not park the bus.

One French reporter asked him afterwards whether his players had listened to him.

But Marseille posed a test of patience and creativity for Albion which was similar to that we saw from Ajax.

The questions in Amsterdam were similar after that game, too – why didn’t Ajax tear into their hosts.

The reason is they know the dangers the Seagulls can cause.

So we settled into the contest. Not a classic? 

Maybe – but it felt like a classic European test.

OM organised, solid and streetwise, shall we say – and with a real threat on counter-attacks.

Albion not as nervy or careless as they were on opening night versus AEK.

The Spanish referee seemingly whistle-happy to us - certainly fussier than we are used to but, equally, how any officiating blunders or moments of confusion have there been in the six Europa matches?

I heard people around me saying the first half was boring, a poor game.

It was not thrill-a-minute penalty-box slapstick but it was enthralling.

It was best of both worlds in a way – a big prize up for grabs but not too much jeopardy.

But Albion really wanted that win.

It was surely significant that Roberto De Zerbi sent on his two most experienced players, Adam Lallana and James Milner, for the last 20 minutes or so.

But Albion as a whole are gaining experience. Gaining know-how.

With time running out, they stuck to the way they play best and one moment of magic meant it paid off .

But don’t under-estimate the value of those short passes which preceded the thunderous goal. That faith in what they were doing - from both players and fans.

One wonders how they would have played the last few minutes without the safety net of the play-off round.

What would those closing stages have been like had this been a two-legged knockout tie and to not win meant to lose everything?

We might find out when the flags and flares, the smoke and the Euro bedlam, return in March.