A fantastic turnout of Brighton supporters made the long trip to Sunderland. And they were rewarded with a 1-0 Albion win.
Whilst the action was taking place at the Stadium of Light, I was on an altogether different and slightly longer journey.
Mrs Noble and I were flying to Mitomaland for the tour of a lifetime around Japan on a cruise liner. Our journey began at 2.20am from Crawley Down. It finished when we arrived at our hotel in Tokyo some 26 hours later.
16 hours of it were spent in the air. From London Gatwick to Istanbul. Then Istanbul to Tokyo. What to do to pass the time?
Thanks to the wonders of modern technology and the Premier League being the most popular in the world, the answer was simple. Watch the action from Sunderland.
It made me think of my dear old dad. What would he say if you told him when Brighton were in Division Four at the Goldstone Ground in the 1960s that one day, you would be able to watch the Albion playing in the best league in the world on TV from an airliner cruising at 38,000 feet on its way to Japan?
Before that though, there was a bit of a fright for my wallet. If you think the price of food and drink at the Amex is expensive, I would avoid visiting McDonalds at Istanbul Airport.
One Big Mac, one McChicken Sandwich, two small fries and a strawberry milkshake. The equivalent of £47 please.
“You’re having a laugh!” I said to the poor lady serving. She was at least honest enough to stay it was a very expensive airport.
Now, you might think watching football on a plane would mean there are no distractions. These are not normal times we live in though, with war raging in the Middle East diverting aircraft into narrower airways.
Whilst north east of the Black Sea, I looked out the window and noticed other jet airlines flying alongside. There were also planes above and below us going in the opposite direction.
As someone who understands flying procedures and can fly a light aircraft, it was as if our plane was part of a formation like you see in historic war films with B17 bombers. It was strange yet fascinating to see. And something which I may never experience again.
Soon it was time to concentrate, however. With an ear pod connected to the WiFi for BBC Radio Sussex commentary and the screen in front showing the sunny Stadium of Light, I was ready.
Some Turkish Airlines banana pancakes even turned up with perfect timing as the game kicked off. Not quite an Amex hotdog. But beggars cannot be choosers.
Sunderland in their red and white shirts looked like a Colgate toothpaste tube. But it was Brighton who had the fresher start and Jack Hinshelwood could have scored after only nine minutes and 14 seconds, according to the timer on my screen.
Pascal Gross shaved the post and Chemsdine Talbi had a shot saved by Bart Verbruggen. It was a very fast game of football which went from one end to the other. No chance of it sending to sleep even a man who would been awake for 13 hours since 2am by that point.
Hinshelwood had a couple more chances but still the game remained goalless at the break. Adrian Harmes on BBC Radio Sussex rattled through the half time non-league scores from around Sussex.
That it itself seemed strange – hearing the names of places like Broadbridge Heath and Three Bridges whilst on the way to the Far East.
Three minutes into the second half and Sunderland broke the deadlock. Thankfully, VAR disallowed it. Also thankfully, I just about managed to save another of those banana pancakes from flying into the lap of an adjoining passenger by controlling my emotions when the ball hit the back of the net.
Imagine having to explain to that person they were covered in banana for absolutely no reason as the goal which caused me to react had been ruled out.
I also managed to stay relatively calm when Yankuba Minteh scored shortly after. Some say it was a lucky finish. I don’t believe that.
Minteh bent the ball with the outside of his right foot perfectly between Jan Paul van Hecke and the Sunderland goalkeeper. It was his first goal since September. What a player he can be when on form, as he was against Sunderland.
The game became frantic after that, which had me worried. But Brighton soon managed to gain some control and see out the three points.
Something which has been missing from the Albion this season, where points have been dropped near the end of matches.
Victory made it three wins from four. How to celebrate? I treated myself to some black tea, a bread roll and a piece of fruit.
The sun began to rise on Sunday morning in Japan as we made our approach into Tokyo Narita Airport with Mount Fuji appearing above the clouds on the horizon.
What a sight. Almost as beautiful as Brighton moving up to 10th spot in the Premier League, five points off seventh with eight games left to play.
I might now be in Asia… but I am dreaming of Europe again.
Tony Noble @Noble1844Tony
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About The Author
Tony attended his first Brighton game in 1965, aged nine. Now in his 70s, he has watched the club go through ups and downs from afar before becoming a season ticket holder in 2021.
A retired police detective, he is now qualified as a freelance journalist and has published several books about the Albion. Tony is also a semi-regular contributor to the Final Whistle programme on BBC Radio Sussex and has appeared on the Albion Unlimited Podcast.