Graham Potter admitted it was an emotional night as fans returned to the AMEX Stadium to see Brighton & Hove Albion beat champions Manchester City.
Nearly 8,000 supporters – the biggest crowd at the AMEX since February 2020 – saw Potter’s men come from 2-0 down to win 3-2 with second half goals from Leandro Trossard, Adam Webster and Dan Burn.
It lifted Albion to 15th in the table on 41 points and they have the opportunity to break a new top-flight points record if they can avoid defeat at Arsenal on Sunday.
Potter told the club's website: “It was an emotional feeling in the stadium and I thought the players gave a top performance which the crowd appreciated. The supporters were fantastic and it was a great game.”
City had led 2-0 thanks to goals from Ilkay Gundogan and Phil Foden despite losing Joao Cancelo to a straight red card for bringing down Danny Welbeck in the 11th minute.
“Obviously we benefitted when they went down to ten men so early, but we still had to play well and with the personality that we did,” added Potter.
“It’s not easy to play against ten especially when you go 2-0 down but we believe in what we are doing. Sometimes you don’t get the results for the performances you put in because it’s a competitive league.
"But we have improved and we have a young team that can get better and better.
“I am really pleased for the players. They have had a tough year, they have stuck at it and it’s nice to enjoy a fantastic victory with our supporters and get to 41 points.”
Potter confirmed that Welbeck had come off with a hamstring injury which will be assessed on Wednesday, although he is doubtful for Sunday’s trip to face his former side Arsenal.