OK the rest of the division played on Saturday so perhaps Carlisle or Oldham will overtake (they did, Sports Ed). Also Leicester, Walsall or Yeovil may catch us (Leicester did too, Sports Ed). But hey, we are top at this moment and that's great. It has been a while!

History wasn't in Albion's favour. The last time we won away at Southend was 34 years ago! It was April 1974 when Ken Beamish scored twice to give the "Dolphins" the win. It would be another three years before "Seagulls" was adopted as the club nickname!

I'm sorry to say I wasn't at Southend on Friday. Local radio provided a blow-by-blow account with "Sir" Norman Gall assisting on commentary. 1974 was in fact the year Norman ceased his playing career with Brighton, just before that game. Our centre-half had played 488 times for the Albion and I doubt his record will ever be beaten. Now Norman is positive in his support for Brighton. He reckoned on "at least a draw" before the start and was proved right.

Manager Micky Adams (pictured) went for the team that started against Bristol Rovers except bringing in from suspension Glenn Murray. With Murray back to join captain Nicky Forster, Albion's top scoring duo were reunited.

This was a competitive match. Southend were also unbeaten in two. The needle was more pointed given the presence of ex-Seagulls Dan Harding and Alex Revell. Both were prominent in the Shrimpers play, with Harding in particular receiving jovial boos from the travelling Albion supporters.

Revell had been a popular wholehearted player with Brighton and was released in favour of Murray. There has been discussion between fans – who was the better player? By the end Glenn had resolved matters in his favour.

Revell it was that set the tone for the game by going in hard on our keeper Michel Kuipers. If it had been later than the first five minutes Mr J Singh may well have shown a straight red. Michel doesn't take kindly to such challenges – and also got a yellow for his angry reactions. Revell got off a fine shot shortly after, only to see it come back off the post with Kuipers beaten.

Southend had the better of the first half so the 1,200-odd Seagull supporters must have been happy with no score. Our away support is superb and you could hear the Seagulls' chants all the way from Essex, courtesy of the BBC of course.

Brighton came out fired up for the second half. Manager Adams said he lost his temper somewhat as he thought we were being out battled. He told them to play further up the pitch and match the physical game of Southend. It worked and the game had everything in the last 45 minutes.

The turning point came with 20 minutes left. Again it was a ref making the news. Frank Moussa went in late for a tackle on Virgo, leaving his stud marks on our Adam's thigh. Mr Singh didn't hesitate and gave a straight red card. The one man advantage paid off about five minutes later when Murray received a free kick from Livermore, delayed in controlling the ball, but turned and fired home. A mint of a goal!

Southend certainly didn't surrender. They went as close as possible to scoring with a header from Barnard that looped over Kuipers but was amazingly headed off the line by the impressive Gary Elphick.

It was a frantic finish. Harding moaned to the ref after a hard challenge by Elphick. "Pathetic," said "Sir" Norman for trying to get our Gary carded.

There was time for Forster to pick up a yellow card from Mr Singh, leaving Norman "bewildered".

Finally came the killer blow. Steve Thomson made the run to the by-line to pull back for Forster to tap in at the near post. That was the Albion skipper's fourth this season.

So seven points out of nine and still unbeaten. And two bogey sides beaten away from home already – a great start.

PS – Oldham did win to go top but others faltered, leaving the Albion joint second – on points. Bring on Leyton Orient at Withdean tomorrow for a win that could take us first!