B & H ALBION - SEASON 2023/2024 - REVIEWED
After the memorable 2022-2023 season when Albion achieved their highest-ever top-flight finish - 6th in the Premier League and qualified for European football for the first time in their history, season 2023-2024 developed as follows:-
2023
August
Opening-day on the 12 August saw newly-promoted Luton Town pitch-up at the Amex where Albion's class saw them record a resounding 4-1 win over the Hatters, with the goals coming from Solly March, new striker Joao Pedro (pen), Simon Adingra and Evan Ferguson.
Next was a trip to the Black Country and another 4-1 win, this time over Wolves, the scorers being Solly March (2), Kaoru Mitoma and Pervis Estupinan.
The month finished with a 1-3 home defeat to West Ham, with Pascal Gross scoring the consolation goal.
September -
The month opened with an impressive 3-1 home win over Newcastle on the 2nd with young Irish striker Evan Ferguson netting a hat-trick.
Better was to follow on the 16 September with an excellent 3-1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford, with Danny Welbeck, Pascal Gross and Joao Pedro scoring.
The Seagulls first experience of Europa League football took place on the 21 September with a 2-3 home reverse to AEK Athens, with Joao Pedro converting two penalties. AFC
Bournemouth visited the Amex in the Premier on the 24 September, where the Seagulls recorded a 3-1 win, with goals coming from Kaoru Mitoma (2) and a Milos Kerkez own goal.
Next was a trip to Stamford Bridge for a Carabao Cup Third Round tie with Chelsea who ran out 1-0 winners, with a Nicolas Jackson goal.
The month ended with a shock 1-6 defeat at Aston Villa on the 30 September, with Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati scoring.
October
First game of the month was a trip to Marseille in the Europa on the 5 October where the Albion came away with a creditable 2-2 draw, Pascal Gross and Joao Pedro (pen) being on target.
Next up was a visit from Liverpool in the Premier on the 8 October and another 2-2 draw, with Simon Adingra and Lewis Dunk scoring.
A trip to Manchester City in the Premier followed on the 21 October where the Champions ran out 2-1 winners, with Ansu Fati netting for the Albion.
Matchday 3 of the Europa League saw Ajax visit the Amex on the 26 October and the Seagulls scored their first-ever European victory with a 2-0 win, with Joao Pedro and Ansu Fati scoring.
The final game of the month saw Albion battle out a 1-1 draw with Fulham at the Amex on the 29 October, with Evan Ferguson opening the scoring.
November
A trip to Everton in the Premier on the 4 November ended in a 1-1 draw, with Albion's goal coming through an Ashley Young own goal.
Next a trip to Amsterdam for Matchday 4 in the Europa League on the 9 November saw Albion gain a superb 2-0 over Ajax, with the goals coming from Ansu Fati and Simon Adingra.
Sheffield United came to the Amex in the Premier next on the 12 November and a 1-1 draw ensued, with Simon Adingra netting for the Seagulls.
Following the international break a trip to Nottingham Forest beckoned and fine 3-2 win, with the goals coming from Joao Pedro (2) 1 pen., and Evan Ferguson.
The month ended in Greece on the 30 November and a fine 1-0 win over AEK Athens by courtesy of a Joao Pedro penalty, on Matchday 5 of the Europa League.
December
The Busiest month of the season opened with a trip to Chelsea on the 3 December and a 2-3 defeat, with the goals being netted by Facundo Buonanotte and Joao Pedro.
Brentford were next at the Amex in the Premier on the 6 December and the Seagulls ran out 2-1 winners, with the goals coming from Pascal Gross and Jack Hinshelwood, the youngster's first Premier League goal.
Next, a 1-1 home draw with Burnley in the Premier on the 9 December, with Simon Adingra netting.
Matchday 6 in the Europa League took place at the Amex on the 14 December when the Albion overcame Marseille 1-0 through a Joao Pedro goal. The win saw the Seagulls finish top of Group B - a fine achievement.
A trip to title-chasing Arsenal followed on the 17 December and a 0-2 defeat for their troubles. T
he M23 derby saw the Albion draw 1-1 at Crystal Palace on the 21 December through a late Danny Welbeck goal.
The final game of 2023 saw Albiion enjoy a fine 4-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur at the Amex in the Premier on the 28 December, with the goals coming from Joao Pedro (2) pens., Jack Hinshelwood and Pervis Estupinan.
2024
January
The New Year opened with a trip to West Ham in the Premier on the 2 January and a 0-0 draw.
A change from the Premier League schedule took place on the 6 January and a FA Cup Third Round trip to Stoke City and a 4-2 win, with the goals coming from Joao Pedro (2). Pervis Estupinan and Lewis Dunk.
It was back to the Premier on the 22 January and a 0-0 home draw with Wolves.
An FA Cup Fourth Round tie beckoned on the 27 January and a trip to Sheffield United where a fine 5-2 win was achieve through goals from Joao Pedro (3) 2 pens., Facundo Buonanotte and Danny Welbeck.
The month ended with a mid-week trip to Luton Town in the Premier on the 30 January and a surprise heavy 0-4 defeat.
February
The Albion bounced back from their heavy defeat at Luton with a fine 4-1 home win over arch-rivals Crystal Palace in the Premier on the 3 February, with goals from Lewis Dunk, Jack Hinshelwood, Facundo Buonanotte and Joao Pedro.
A trip to North London followed on the 10 February and a 1-2 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, with Pascal Gross netting from the penalty spot.
Next, Albion travelled to Sheffield United in the Premier on the 18 February and recorded an emphatic 5-0 win, with the goals coming from Simon Adingra (2), Facundo Buonanotte, Danny Welbeck and a Jack Robinson own goal.
Everton were the visitors to the Amex on the 24 February in the Premier and played out a 1-1 draw, with Lewis Dunk scoring for the Seagulls.
The FA Cup Fifth Round saw Albion travel to Wolves on the 28 February, a 0-1 defeat and exit from the competition.
March
The month started with a short trip to West London to meet Fulham at Craven Cottage in the Premier on the 2 March and a 0-3 defeat.
Worse was to follow on the 7 March for a Europa League Round of 16 First Leg tie with AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico and a 0-4 defeat at the hands of the Italians.
The Albion would be looking for a miracle result in the return leg at the Amex. Next was a home game with Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on the 10 March and a 1-0 win, thanks to an own goal from Forest's Andrew Omobamidele.
The Europa home leg with AS Roma took place at the Amex on the 14 March and a 1-0 win for the Albion through a Danny Welbeck first-half goal, which wasn't enough and the Seagulls were eliminated from the Europa League.
On the 31 March the Albion travelled to Liverpool in the Premier and although beaten 1-2, with Danny Welbeck scoring, the Albion played well and were deserving of a draw, at least.
April
First game of the month saw the Albion draw 0-0 at Brentford in the Premier on the 3 April.
Next, high-flying Arsenal were at the Amex in the Premier on the 6 April and the visitor's left with a 3-0 win under their belts.
A trip to Burnley in the Premier followed on the 13 April and a 1-1 draw, with Albion's goal coming through an Arijanet Muric own goal.
Manchester City were next at the Amex in the Premier on the 25 April and the Champions left with a deserved 4-0 win.
Albion's poor month continued with a trip along the coast to AFC Bournemouth in the Premier on the 28 April and a poor display by the Seagulls resulted in a 0-3 defeat.
May
Albion's slide down the table was arrested on the 5 May when Aston Villa visited the Amex in the Premier and were beaten 1-0, thanks to a Joao Pedro goal - the Brazilian's 20th goal of the season.
Next, was a trip to Newcastle in the Premier on the 11 May and a deserved 1-1 draw was achieved, thanks to a rare goal from Joel Veltman.
The penultimate game of the season was a visit from Chelsea in the Premier on the 15 May and a 1-2 defeat, with Albion's consolation coming from Danny Welbeck.
24 hours prior to the final game of the season there was the shock announcement from the Albion that Head Coach Roberto De Zerbi and seven of his coaches would be leaving the club after the final game of the season.
Manchester United visited the Amex in the Premier on the 19 May and left with a 2-0 win to bring the season and Roberto De Zerbi's reign to an end.
A satisfactory seventh season for the Albion in the Premier, finishing in eleventh position in the league, with 48 points from 38 games.
Next issue: incomings/outgoings at the Amex - Summer 2024.
Jack Kaye.