The half-time whistle went, the two teams headed for the tunnel and Brighton’s boys of ’83 emerged on to the pitch.
They were special guests to mark the 40th anniversary of this club’s first and only FA Cup final appearance. They talked of Wembley and fond memories and the new ground being broken by Roberto De Zerbi’s current crop. And then the sprinklers came on and drenched these heroes of yesteryear.
Nothing can rain on the parade of Brighton’s new history boys. Not now. Not after this win over already-relegated Southampton, secured thanks to Evan Ferguson’s first-half double and a record-equalling third from Pascal Gross.