Tony Bloom's investment in the Amex, like most of the Albion owner-chairman's financial strategies, has been money very well spent.

The construction cost of the stadium was close on £100 million.

The Seagulls were new to the Championship then.

Seven-and-a-half seasons on, in the final match of another outstanding year, Everton are the latest club attempting to defy the odds by going away with all three points.

The Amex continues to be the bedrock of Albion's success. Only Chelsea so far have consistently found the winning formula away to Chris Hughton's side in the Premier League.

Albion's home record so far this season is won four, drawn three, lost two, against Chelsea and Spurs, both 2-1.

That is coincidentally the same record as in the first half of 2018, when Chelsea and Liverpool beat them by four goals.

Jurgen Klopp's table-toppers are the next visitors after their Merseyside rivals. Good as they are, it is unlikely to be another 5-1.

Albion's overall home stats in 2018, eights wins, six draws and four defeats, is only part of the story.

In the Premier League, 11 victories, 11 stalemates and six losses is, by any standard, pretty impressive for newcomers.

It gets better when you also take into account the last two seasons in the Championship, 32 wins, eight draws, six defeats.

In total it all adds up to played 74, won 43, drawn 19, lost 12. The supporters routinely packing out the Amex have been thoroughly spoilt.

These astonishing figures have embraced clinching promotion from the Championship, twice beating Manchester United, toppling Arsenal as well as drawing with them and their North London neighbours.

The Argus: Bloom (above) could not have wished for more when he dug deep to move Albion from 14 years as groundsharing tenants in Kent and, closer to home, at a converted athletics track.

The next step is a result against one of the top six away from home, but the formidable Amex fortress has been and will remain instrumental to the club's hopes of establishing themselves in the top flight.

Long-serving midfielder Dale Stephens, signed midway through the club's third season at the stadium, said: "Since I've been at the club we've kept that record where we've been very strong at home.

"We knew it would be massively important coming into the Premier League last year.

"For us to build we not only have to keep that, we also have to improve away from home. We know how hard it is to go away and get results against the top clubs.

"That has got to be our aims and goals, improving this club.

"The Amex is a beautiful stadium. Players want to come here and play for this club and for that reason it's something we have thrived off in the time I've been here.

"I enjoy it, it's a good atmosphere. As long as we put the work in, the crowd appreciate it."

Stephens (below right) was even further away from the Premier League when Albion moved into the Amex, playing in the third tier for Charlton after spells at Southampton, Rochdale and Droylsden (all loans), Oldham and Bury.

The Argus: The 29-year-old Lancastrian has put in the hard yards in all four divisions to get where he is now.

"A lot of players have done it like that," he said. "You see the (Jamie) Vardy story as well. It's something I've replicated myself and am very proud of.

"I feel like I've improved massively. That's more to do with age and experience, getting the opportunities to play at different levels. I'm very proud of the way I've done it. I'm hoping I can spend the majority of the rest of my career at this level."

Everton's visit between Christmas and the New Year is the third of four matches in 12 days.

"This is the curve ball in this period," Stephens said. "It's been like this in English football for a long time, something I've been used to. A lot of (Albion) players have been used to it, playing in the lower leagues and Championship.

"It won't be an excuse for us. Everyone is in the same boat, if the games come thick and fast, so be it."

Albion's hopes of ending 2018 on a high are enhanced greatly by playing at the Amex.