SEAGULLS v MAGPIES

As I was negotiating Southern Trains and then Victoria station, the Victoria Line, on my way to St Pancras, today, there were loads of Geordies heading in the opposite direction to the south coast for their Premier League match against Brighton and Hove Albion. This could be the longest journey for any PL team to travel this season. Choosing a rail journey on this day may not have been a very bright idea. It was a sunny, warm day but the efficiency of various rail links was interfered with by Sunday "repairs" and alterations. Mind you a coach would be dreadful, boat? plane?
I hope they got to the Amex on time, a ground out on a limb. The PL did set a 4pm ko so the fans would have a bit of time to get to the match. By the way I got home safely. But what their journey home.

These clubs at opposite ends of the country are probably relieved that they are only likely to meet twice a season, unless some clever FA Cup draw or EFL Cup pitches the Magpies against the Seagulls. These clubs have been in cup ties 6 times before; Newcastle one win (1930), one draw (1983) subsequently a Brighton win and they have conquered in the rest.

Actually, the clubs have only met 21 times EVER, until now. Newcastle have won 9, Brighton 9 and 3 have been drawn.
Remember that Brighton was only founded in 1901 and they joined the Football league in 1920. Newcastle of course have been about since 1892 and in the league for longer than Albion.

The first meeting ever was an FA Cup match at Newcastle on 15th February 1930. The next time they met was in October 1961 in a Division Two game and this was also at Newcastle, with the home team winning 5-0. Another League match was in 1963 at the Goldstone Ground 0-4 to Newcastle. Then again at Brighton in 1978 2-0 to the home team...I could go on.

The last time they met was in the Championship in 2016-17, Newcastle won both season's games and at the moment Brighton are ahead 1-0. 15 minutes to go...squeaky bum time for Chris and Raph.