Sounds like it’s football again...
BRIGHTON LET FANS IN FOR CHELSEA DRAW
1 FIRST they sang Yves Bissouma’s song to the tune of ‘Tequila!’
Then they barracked Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga with the old goal- kick classic, ’Wooooaaaahhhh ****…’
You know the one.
And then they turned their attention to referee James Linington over a tight offside decision as if to rubber-stamp the fact that, at long, long last, football fans were back.
Just 2,500 of them for now, Brighton season ticket holders allowed into the Amex Stadium to see their side take on Chelsea in a test event around this pre-season friendly.
But it was a start and hopefully a massive step in the right direction for everyone who loves watching live football.
Certainly one that will have buoyed supporters the length and breadth of the country who are itching to get back through the turnstiles themselves.
Time will tell if everything went off without a hitch but from a logistical perspective at least the early indications are that it was a success.
Respectful
Brighton chief executive Paul Barber, who oversaw the operation, admitted: “I’m very pleased.
“A lot of credit to the fans, they listened to the requests we made of them, they were very respectful of staff and they looked after each other.
“We’re really pleased with the way it has gone and the feedback from our operations team is that things have gone as well as they possibly could.”
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard, whose side kick off their Premier League campaign here on September 14, said: “Football is always about the fans and I know they have a well-supported club and I’ve a lot of respect for that, so it was our pleasure to be there.
“It was a really good workout. We’re working hard, the game was great for us and we’ll be back in the season in a couple of weeks.”
Brighton boss Graham Potter echoed Lampard’s sentiments, and said: “It was fantastic, a small step, the first step, but so nice to see people in the ground and hear the supporters and hear them engaging in the game.”
Chelsea’s £54million new boy Timo Werner scored after three minutes when Callum HudsonOdoi fluffed his header and the German slotted home. Brighton’s Pascal Gross (left) levelled from the penalty spot late on after Neal Maupay had earlier seen a penalty saved by Willy Caballero.
But t here was disappointment for both managers with another Chelsea new boy, Hakim Ziyech, limping off injured after the Moroccan was wrong-footed and landed awkwardly.
Brighton’s Christian Walton was also in the wars, with the back-up keeper carried off after what looked a twist of his leg.