[Albion] Ever Seen Us Play Better?

[Stumpy Tim]

I've pondered this since Saturday and - for me - it felt like that '91 Play Off Semi Final 1st leg against Millwall

In both games there were spells where we just looked like scoring on every attack and that we could sense 'blood in the water' and could just open up the opposition at will. Didn't we score 3 times in about 10mins against Millwall in that game?

Given how long ago that Millwall game was - I've likely seen my last display like that now (!) but, crikey, that performance on Saturday will live long in my memory...

From memory, Millwall started better than us & were much better than in the first half until we equalised rather fortunately. Battered them in the second though

 

[Commander]

I've pondered this since Saturday and - for me - it felt like that '91 Play Off Semi Final 1st leg against Millwall

In both games there were spells where we just looked like scoring on every attack and that we could sense 'blood in the water' and could just open up the opposition at will. Didn't we score 3 times in about 10mins against Millwall in that game?

Given how long ago that Millwall game was - I've likely seen my last display like that now (!) but, crikey, that performance on Saturday will live long in my memory...

I had that one in mind as well. It was the 3 goals in 11 minutes that made it feel similar. Every time we got the ball in that period, it felt like we were going to score.

 

[Soul Finger]

I had that one in mind as well. It was the 3 goals in 11 minutes that made it feel similar. Every time we got the ball in that period, it felt like we were going to score.

What a game! Mickey Small was a collusus and everything went through him.

As great as that Millwall game was, Saturday was a whole different level.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

It was a comprehensive demolition the likes of which I can't remember ever seeing before and will probably never see again. When did any of us come away from beating a top-class (on paper) side by four goals thinking it could easily have been six or seven? Truly surreal. Even Ronaldo was laughing at the absurdity of it all

 

[DavidRyder]

I've pondered this since Saturday and - for me - it felt like that '91 Play Off Semi Final 1st leg against Millwall

In both games there were spells where we just looked like scoring on every attack and that we could sense 'blood in the water' and could just open up the opposition at will. Didn't we score 3 times in about 10mins against Millwall in that game?

Given how long ago that Millwall game was - I've likely seen my last display like that now (!) but, crikey, that performance on Saturday will live long in my memory...

Was that really 31 years ago I feel (am) so old...!

 

[Monkey Man]

Was that really 31 years ago I feel (am) so old...!

And I'm STILL annoyed about how many Millwall fans got into the North Stand that day.

 

[southstandandy]

When we beat Southampton 5-0 in October 1911. It were right cold that day!

 

[DavidRyder]

And I'm STILL annoyed about how many Millwall fans got into the North Stand that day.

I was in the South and there were loads in the home part there as well. Still, they soon shut up!

 

[Greg Bobkin]

I said to my son at half-time "It's not often you see Brighton play a half like that. Even if we lose this game 1-4, you need to remember what you've just witnessed, because that was special". Little did I know we were going to come out and absolutely BATTER them for the next 45.

So no, I have never seen a better performance from us. The Peterbrough game and the first 30 mins of the play-off home game to Sheff Weds are probably the closest, but they were at a lower level.

Exactly this – I had pretty much the same thoughts. At half time, I sent a message to a mate – also in the ground – saying I thought it was the best half I'd seen. Little did I know it would be COMPLETELY surpassed by the second half.

I seem to recall we were 4-0 up against Leeds a few seasons back at half time (or maybe scored just after the break?) but that didn't feel as dominant as Saturday. Maybe because it was the Championship and we were used to winning? Whereas this result – especially at home – came out of the blue.

 

[DavidRyder]

Exactly this – I had pretty much the same thoughts. At half time, I sent a message to a mate – also in the ground – saying I thought it was the best half I'd seen. Little did I know it would be COMPLETELY surpassed by the second half.

I seem to recall we were 4-0 up against Leeds a few seasons back at half time (or maybe scored just after the break?) but that didn't feel as dominant as Saturday. Maybe because it was the Championship and we were used to winning? Whereas this result – especially at home – came out of the blue.

Yep 4-0 at the break - and I still had a part of me that was worried we wouldn't win!

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

The last time I saw us so comprehensively better than the opposition (in a league match) was the "We're ****in brilliant" game at Peterboro.

That was at L1 level though!

Considering the level, this is almost certainly the best 90 minutes that any Albion side has ever played.

I went to that one.

For me, after 53 years of live Albion, Saturday was the best. No shitehousery or cards. Absolutely 'the Brighton way' at its very best. Complete absence of gung-ho pluckiness. Relentless class all over the pitch and on the bench.

Sure, there have been great displays in the past, but getting to mid table in the top flight, then playing like that, no, we have never performed better.

 

[WATFORD zero]

Our best ever team and squad playing our best and highest quality football ever at our highest ever level.

I guess that'll be a yes from me then

 

[Seagull]

We destroyed Blackpool in a 6-1 orgy of tippy tappy football and we scored a goal for them too. 2013?

That was right up there. I was wearing the "lucky" green 2012/13 away socks bought after that match on Saturday!

 

[fleet]

55 years man and boy and I can’t think of a better all round performance.

 

[warmleyseagull]

Norwich game for me. The way we passed at the back: crisp precision cross field passes and on the money set ups for Sanchez to clear into touch; Maupay giving the Norwich fans catching practice for the pen; North Stand fans standing in terror as shots came their way. It will always live in my memory.

 

[Eric Youngs Contact Lens]

Great thread with lots of fantastic memories! I cannot think we have played better, against such a top opponent for such a large majority of the game - whatever their ailments, they are sitting comfortably above us in the top division!
I remember 7-0 win vs. Charlton (early 80's, Jimmy Case Hat-trick) when we were 5-0 up at half-time. It was genuinely ridiculous, and "tailed off" in the 2nd-half with only 2 more goals.. Jimmy Melia's quote : "we could have beaten Brazil today!".. Beating Norwich 5-0 in the Championship more recently was a dominant display against a relatively good opponent, but they made some horrible errors that gifted us goals.
So for me, with those two great memories added for the collection, Saturday was special. Very Special. Quality of performance and goals.. no set pieces, no penalties, no problem!!

 

[Beanstalk]

The Norwich stuffing in our promotion season was probably the last time we've completely demolished a team but they didn't have the most prolific goal scorer of all time and a cast of unbelievably decorated internationals.

That was the best Brighton performance I've ever seen in my 23 years of watching the club.

 

[maltaseagull]

You obviously weren't there for the 10 - 1 defeat of Wisbech. ( Which was just a warm up for the 9- 0 defeat of Southend in the league a couple of weeks later ).

I was there for both but taking into account the opposition, I think last Saturday was the best.
The move where Ali Mac hit the post after a backheel from Welbeck was superb.
Brilliant interplay all over the pitch.

 

[Arthritic Toe]

Every individual player's performance was nigh-on perfect and the team tactics and performance was faultless. Best ever in my 45 years (whether at the match or on tele).

 

[Milano]

I have - the previous Saturday at Wolves. Wolves don’t lose 3 zip at home never mind being completely outplayed in every way. That game also could/should have been more than 3.
Strangely both Wolves and Utd were shit…..
Everything is suddenly clicking, just a shame there aren’t 5 games left instead of 2, we’d be troubling the euro spots.

For me the difference is the energy in midfield and the fact that AT LAST we are seeing Potter’s team with a quality no 9. Welbeck has been outstanding and IMO is now finally fully match fit for the first time since he’s been here.