Brighton and Hove Albion and their fans can now sit back and take a breathe after a memorable and historic season. It started with the sale of key players Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister, swiftly followed a pre-season tour on the east coast of America. Albion were then off to a blistering start in the Premier League and then enjoyed their first ever European nights in Marseille, Ajax and Athens. Albion’s season then spiralled after a humbling night in Rome. It saw Roberto De Zerbi’s mood change which ultimately saw the club and the head coach part ways following the final match of the season against Man United at the Amex Stadium last Sunday. Here’s 15 things I learned following the Albion this term...
5. Marseille magic
My two favourite matches of the season were the clashes with Marseille. Brighton were taken apart in the early stages in the south of France but battled to secure a memorable 2-2 draw in the intense atmosphere of the Vélodrome. In the return fixture at the Amex Stadium, Brighton secured top spot in the group thanks to a late goal from Joao Pedro. This was Brighton at their best this season. Photo: Mike Hewitt
6. Rome rage
Brighton got it badly wrong in Rome and they were made to pay. The Seagulls were wide open and Daniele de Rossi's team looked they they could score with every attack. It was a painful night for Brighton and their fans, who also had a fan stabbed while in Rome. Brighton did win the second leg 1-0 but the damage had been done. Europe was over but the memories live on. Photo: ANDREAS SOLARO
7. Moises Caicedo
What a mad situation. Brighton insisted they were not going to sell but when the bidding reached £100m-plus Albion decided to cash in. Liverpool moved first with £110m and then Chelsea came back with £115m. A crazy fee for a player with minimal PL experience that joined Brighton for around £4m 18 months earlier. Photo: ADRIAN DENNIS
8. Brighton's English midfielder #07 Solly March is stretchered off the pitch injured during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Brighton and Hove Albion at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on October 21, 2023. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Boy oh boy. Solly March, James Milner, Adam Webster, Joel Veltman Tariq Lamptey, Pervis Estupinan, Kaoru Mitoma, Julio Enciso, Evan Ferguson, Joao Pedro and Jack Hinshelwood all missed large chunks of the season. It proved crippling to Brighton already reeling from the sales of Caicedo and Mac Allister. Photo: OLI SCARFF