[Albion] Classic Match - Brighton 5 - Norwich 0

[pocketseagull]

This was very early in the season but at this point I knew we were going up.

 

[JetsetJimbo]

We were so entertaining to watch in that final year in the Championship. I think only the season of our sixth-place finish under RDZ compares.

 

[BadFish]

Murray's goal not dissimilar to Ensico's today.

 

[Motogull]

One of my favourite games was that. We were in the south next to the awayers.

 

[monkeymz]

that was the game where the norwich manager confidently said we know whats coming making out that they was going to win lol

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

Skalak had a fantastic cross on him when he could get in a decent position. Getting in a decent position was the problem.

 

[Brian Munich]

This was very early in the season but at this point I knew we were going up.

It wasn’t that early - late October, I think - but yea, it was certainly the first of a number of key results that made me think we could finish top 2. The others:

2-1 at Birmingham with last minute winner
2-1 home to massive with 10 men
1-0 home to Blackburn with Hudds losing - what an atmosphere in Falmer station queue when news of that Burton goal came through!
2-1 at QPR. It wasn't mathematical, but at that point I knew for certain that we were promoted.

 

[SkirlieWirlie]

One of my favourite games was that. We were in the south next to the awayers.

Up there with Chelsea and the return of Potter as one of my best Amex experiences, with Pritchard the pantomime baddie, BOOOOO!!!

 

[Dibdab]

Cracking atmosphere that day, and a humiliated Pritchard to boot. Probably my favourite ever season as really did feel like we were going up very early and the quality of play was great, something I think Hughtons detractors often forget.

 

[Triggaaar]

What a great day that was

 

[Cheggers]

That must have been Skalak's best game for us. Think he made three goals with his ability and awareness. Didn't he score an absolute peach on the volley v QPR(?) shortly after the Norwich game?

 

[Madafwo]

This video always makes me chuckle.

I remember this match well, despite living down here it had a distinct away day feel as I travelled down from Manchester after driving the wife up there the previous day so she could see her family.

The booing of Pritchard, the reports of his missus being classy after the match, the joy of a 560 mile round trip for a home match. Massive at home was when I properly started believing we'd be promoted.

 

[pocketseagull]

That must have been Skalak's best game for us. Think he made three goals with his ability and awareness. Didn't he score an absolute peach on the volley v QPR(?) shortly after the Norwich game?

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Anyone else yelling noooo as he was lining that one up? Haha

 

[Dancin Ninja BHA]

straight from that game I raced home, picked up my nursery school aged son and drove over to ...................East Anglia/Suffolk border as was 'glamping' with friends!!!

Never wear Albion-branded gear, unless its a woolly hat on a cold day, but made an exception that weekend out and about as was so proud of our performance and wanted to ram it down the locals throats!!!

 

[Official Old Man]

There were plenty of games that season that hinted 'this is the year'.
Beating Leeds in December followed by Blackburn & Birmingham away plus QPR home.
Home defeat to Newcastle in Feb may have put a dampner on it followed by defeat to Huddersfield, our two closest rivals.
Next up draw at Brentford and whilst still 2nd, only 3 points clear.
A home draw with Ipswich narrowed it to 1 point!
Victories over Barnsley & Reading put the gap to 3 with Huddersfield hanging on after 34 games.
Week 36 we lost to Forest but luckily Huddersfield lost to Newcastle, that could have put us 3rd had Huds beaten the Geordies at home (although GD was in our favour).
The games kept coming and the gap remained at 3.
Untill the 1st April. Little Burton beat Huddersfield and the gap was 6 points with 7 to play and still a far superior GD. That may have been the week it was in our own hands.
Game day 41 was the QPR away and both Newcastle and Huddersfield lost making the gap 9 with 5 to play. We were also top of the league.
Game 42 was the Wolves away victory and 'we're on our way' could start. Top, 9 clear, best GD, 4 to play.
Game 43......... Wigan.
Norwich were a very good team, sat 4th in the league one point below Brighton when they came to us. Game 15, 29th October. Yes, that was the game that gave us belief that we could do it.