Out of the office just after midday, and in the Market Porter outside London Bridge station about 2.15. The beer was flowing and the atmosphere building and before you new it, it was time to head of to the station (after having a bit of a sing song in the pub for the last 15 minutes).
We caught the 18.53 to Norwood Junction and wandered to the ground. Not so many Police about this time, plenty of banter going on, but we didn't see any trouble (different story on the front page of the Argus today - 2 pubs near Selhurst station were smashed up).
There wasn't much of a queue so we were soon in the ground, we stood towards the back in the middle of our section. The 3,500 Albion fans were in great voice, the atmosphere was building and building.
The game started fairly frantically but I thought we controlled the match for long periods. Its hard to try and report on this type of game because you get so caught up in the tension and the adrenaline is pumping, but our midfield dominated.
Even when we lost Carpenter, Oatway and Hammond battled brilliantly. I am one of the first to knock Charlie, but hands up, he did the job for us.
We had 2 great chances in the first half, first Knight chipped the keeper, but also the bar! Then Robinson had a chance but put it over. Frutos and Knight then made themselves chances but the pantomime pyjama clad keeper made good saves. Palace had a couple of headers, but they look a poor side.
Second half and Palace did come into it a bit more.
As the minutes ticked on I was thinking that before KO I would be have been happy with a point, but we deserved more. Then Carole puts in a corner and McShane gets his head to the ball, it loops up in the air, all in slow motion, then it pandemonium as the 3,500 Albion fans go mental,
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.
The Palace fans to our left pile down the front, one gets on the pitch and before he can make even a gesture to the grinning Albion fans he his flattened by a steward, top tackle sir! More Palace pile down but the Police block off the corner, we are still jumping around celebrating.
The last 15 minutes plus the time added on for things being thrown at Henderson (and the Referee stopping the match and talking to the Police is a blur. I am desperate for the whistle, our singing is deafening.
Palace fans start to drift out, we have 2 chances on the break that are wasted, its into injury time McShane makes a brilliant block, they attack again, its blocked , deflected and Morrison puts the ball in the net, he wheels away to celebrate with the goons behind the goal, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO this is so unfair,
but hang on why are Brighton fans around me celebrating,
I look up and see the nice kind linesman with his flag in the air. The referee consults him and it's our free kick.
1-0 to the Albion 1-0 to the Albion echoes around Selhurst park, come on Referee it's nearly 10pm, how long you playing. PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP, yes yes we have beaten the scum.
1-0 WE BEAT THE SCUM 1-0 WE BEAT THE SCUM 1-0 WE BEAT THE SCUM 1-0.
The players are in front of us celebrating, Palace fans stand around looking dejected.
We celebrate all the way back to Norwood Junction for the football specials back to glorious Sussex. One or two dodgy looking characters about, a few shouts etc behind us and lots of blue flashing lights. We even get a seat on the first train back!
What a day!!!!
Henderson - 7 handled well, a couple of good stops and one great save in the first half and great distribution
Reid - 7 different player compared to Saturday, good passing and defending
Hart - 7 nothing got passed him, more defensive roll than Saturday
Butters - 9 great commanding display
McShane - 10 MOTM by miles, would be a great signing!
Hammond - 7 battled away as ever
Oatway - 8 was a thorn in the Palace side, great battling display
Carpenter - 7 good for the time he lasted!
Carole - 8 back to his more creative self, ran time and time again at the Palace defence
Robinson - 7 battled hard and worked well with Knight
Knight - 8 great game, deserved a goal
Frutos - 7 battled hard, more defensive game then usual
CKR - 8 held up the ball well, and helped relive the pressure
El-Abd - 7 only on for a few minutes but put in several tackles and couple of hoofs down the pitch to ease the pressure
Mayo and Blayney not used
Mark R