Twenty-three of Brighton's best moments in 2023

Not when it comes to football, anyway.

The sport doesn’t work to a calendar year.

But we can make an exception for Albion in 2023.

Because it was, indeed, exceptional.

And it probably IS important to stop and reflect on all that has happened since Arsenal visited us for New Year’s Eve in 2022.

So, let’s have a look at 23 highlights from 2023 – and no doubt something has still been omitted.

They are listed in no particular order other than the last one, because it felt like a good way to finish.

Albion join the Euro jet-setters

Transfer deadline day was given an extra dimension this summer in that it was also the date for the Europa League draw. Albion got two former European champions in Group B and signed a player on loan from another as Ansu Fati came in from Barcelona. The next morning (before the Newcastle game)  was spent looking for flights to Marseille (or Nice, or Montpellier), Schipol and Athens while someone at the club went through the Bad Manners catalogue for pre-match.

Europa debut (above)

Okay, they lost. What we didn’t know at the time was Albion’s 3-2 defeat to battle-hardened AEK of Athens would just make what was to follow even better. But there was still something a bit special about that first Europa week. Just small differences like the décor at the stadium, the Europa League backdrop at press conferences, the archway and pre-match music (do we call it an anthem?). The football felt different, and Albion were uneasy on the pitch. Thursday nights are Europa nights.

Joao Pedro’s penalty at Stade Velodrome

Albion’s European venture was ignited like a French firecracker by Pascal Gross’s goal at Marseille. But the memorable moment came very late when, amid bedlam, Joao Pedro wrongfooted the keeper and secured a point. Or maybe the best moment was just after full-time – when suddenly the rumbling French cacophony died away as if someone had flicked a switch and Sussex By The Sea rang out from the cavernous stand away to our left.

Albion lead in Europe

Joao Pedro loves penalties but his predatory, goal-poacher finish at home to Ajax provided the relief of a breakthrough just before half-time and gave Albion their first-ever lead in Europe. There was no looking back from there.

Pre-match in Amsterdam

Albion were clinical, the uprights were wide and the result was deserved in Amsterdam. A great time was had by an estimated 8,000 travelling fans at the stadium and/or in the city centre. But a personal highlight from that never-to-forgotten match was actually pre-game. All clubs try to whip up the atmosphere with lights and music but the scenes at the magnificent Johan Cruyff Arena were something special.

A long day in Athens

Apart from the tear gas incidents (which one does not wish to trivialise), matchday in Athens was exceptional. The 5.45pm (GMT) kick-off became an evening game thanks to the time difference and fans relished a long day sight-seeing in the sunshine before seeing their side clinch European progress (okay – it wasn’t the best performance). Then they enjoyed the fact that Athens stays up late.

Crowning moment

The finish and goal celebration were straight from South America and the smoke-filled atmosphere very Mediterranean. Joao Pedro’s explosive finish at home to Marseille capped a night which felt, looked, sounded and smelt like proper European football.

World champ returns (above)

Albion showed off their World Cup winner, then outclassed Liverpool to the tune of 3-0. Argentina’s Alexis Mac Allister and Hailsham’s two-goal Solly March were the toast of the Amex. At full-time, all Jurgen Klopp could do was shake his head and smile as he congratulated Roberto De Zerbi. (The return of Leo Ulloa and 4-0 win over West Ham was a similarly great day).

Mitoma mania

For a spell in January and February, Kaoru Mitoma could do no wrong. Moments such as his FA Cup wonder goal to beat Liverpool, super strike at Leicester and soaring header to defeat Bournemouth came while both the J-League and baseball were on a break, which meant a flurry of Japanese TV crews and reporters heading our way to do special features.

Majestic at Middlesbrough

A third-round FA Cup win over a Championship side might not seem like much of a highlight but this one had extra relish for those who had been at the Riverside for the promotion decider of 2016. The Teessiders who partied that day this time purred at Albion’s 5-1 win.

Four goals away from home

Something which had never previously been achieved happened twice in 2023 as Albion scored four goals in a top-flight away game. Evan Ferguson scored on his first Prem start to help to kick off the year at Everton and Solly March hit two at Wolves. The two 4-1 wins followed similar patterns – Kaoru Mitoma scoring in the first half, three goals in quick succession after the break and then a soft one conceded.

Six goals in the top flight for the first time

Remember this was the day Albion rang the changes and Paul Merson told Sky viewers De Zerbi did not want Europe. A record-breaking 6-0 win over Wolves followed.

A win over Crystal Palace

It was the first win for too long in the M23 (or change at East Croydon) tussles and was secured in style by Solly March with a crisp finish, a knee slide and a shush. There should have been three such wins in 2023 so let’s not go overboard – but the one which happened needs to be recorded. (By the way, Premier League post-match interview of the year possibly goes to Roy Hodgson after Palace v Liverpool).

A landmark hat-trick for Evan Ferguson

The Irish teen’s treble was Albion’s fourth in the top tier but the first at home (and only the second in a win). Peter Ward, Gordon Smith and Leandro Trossard all hit hat-tricks in away games.

Alexis Mac Allister penalty against Manchester United

Not long after the despair of Wembley, Albion beat United in the league with essentially a sudden death penalty. It was bedlam, then a whistle, then silence as Mac Allister took an extra second or two – before his shot high past De Gea restored bedlam.

Manchester City at home (above)

An overdue home win over Southampton to all but secure European football was a special Sunday afternoon. It was nice, it was good. But it felt like the achievement needed a bit more. Cue the visit of the champions under lights, a proper atmosphere, perhaps the highest quality football match ever seen at the stadium and the Premier League goal of the season by Julio Enciso. Now that’s how to make mathematically sure of sixth place.

Great days in the capital

Albion’s first ever win away to Chelsea and third in a year away to Arsenal were both clear highlights. They came back from a deflected goal and two injuries to win with a Julio Enciso special at Stamford Bridge, then pretty much ended Arsenal’s title bid by winning 3-0 at the Emirates. Different scorelines and storylines but the same feeling.

Winning the Champions League at Nottingham Forest

Actually they didn’t. It just looked like they had. And why not given the circumstances? Great scenes (and, let’s not forget, a pretty good performance and result).

Pascal Gross, top of the class

The German moved top of Albion’s Premier League (not top flight) goalscoring charts but was pretty underwhelmed at the time, given that goal 27 was in the home defeat by West Ham. No.28 was rather better, to cap the 30-pass move at Old Trafford (above). He is now on 29, eight behind Michael Robinson.

Going international

Albion’s pre-season trip felt a long way from Longford as 75 staff members took the show on the road to the USA, with three matches and a series of word-spreading events. Individual players went here, there and everywhere to play for their countries. There were far too many to mention (but how good was Lewis Dunk at Hampden?).

FA Cup semi-final

Yes, Albion reached only their third ever FA Cup semi-final (after some great full-time scenes with Grimsby) and 30,000-plus went to support them at Wembley. AND they were the better team against Manchester United. Yet that day tends to get forgotten when people look back at the best of 2023, which I think annoys De Zerbi a little. Penalty heartbreak partly explains that – but it would still have been the highlight of any ‘normal’ year.

Last week’s win over Spurs

No need to refresh memories about that one. What a good night of football that was! (Bit please don't forget Tottenham have injuries and their players are tired).

Teen talent

The numbers tell you how Albion lead the way for use of teenagers in the Premier League – while their actual under-21s team are on the club’s best ever run in the EFL Trophy. That’s where 2024 starts for home games, with their tie against Reading’s seniors at the Amex next Tuesday. See you there?