Joao Pedro exquisitely completed a advantageous staff transfer within the dying moments as Brighton beat Marseille and went by means of to the final 16 of the UEFA Europa League as winners of Group B.
Hungry for the win they wanted, Brighton started the match on the entrance foot. The primary half on the Amex noticed Brighton penetrate the Marseille midfield, proactively piecing collectively fashionable passing strikes, and dominating possession.
The house facet however struggled to create any clear-cut possibilities, and their six photographs, three on course, didn’t pose any actual risk to the away aim.
It was in reality Marseille who got here closest within the first 45. Jonathan Clauss’ shot from distance picked up a depraved deflection from Pascal Gross, to ship it looping over Brighton keeper Jason Steele. Fortuitously for the house followers, who held their breath, the ball got here down onto the bar earlier than bouncing down the place it may very well be cleared to security.
Within the second Marseille once more hit the woodwork, as Amine Harit poked a close-range shot previous Brighton keeper Jason Steele, which hit the foot of the left put up and virtually deflected again into the aim.
Brighton continued to press however have been operating out of choices and appeared to be taking part in a go too many every time within the remaining third.
However then Gross performed a wonderfully weighted ball to fulfill an immaculately timed run by Joao Pedro, who smashed previous the Marseille goalkeeper, inflicting the house followers to erupt.
Marseille could not reply and can head to the play-offs as their attainable path to the final 16.
Speaking level – Persistence rewarded
It was a completely completely different set of Seagulls – psychologically a minimum of – that ended the primary a part of their marketing campaign than the one which began it. In October, Brighton would have maybe been elated to get a house level towards Marseille and end second of their UEFA Europa League group. In December, after doing the double over Dutch giants Ajax, they believed they belonged and weren’t going to accept something much less.
That self-belief utilized to the style through which Roberto De Zerbi requested his staff to play. Whilst Marseille stifled and stymied the creativity of Pascal Gross, Kaoro Mitoma, Joao Pedro and the remainder, they stored their heads and continued plugging away. No main tactical adjustments have been made within the closing minutes, whilst some personnel gave approach. Crucially these first three, who appeared good all through however lacked leading edge, stayed on the pitch earlier than lastly discovering a approach by means of, as lastly it clicked.
Participant of the match – Kaoru Mitoma
A sympathy choice? Maybe. However the Japanese worldwide was concerned in the whole lot Brighton did bar the aim, and together with Simon Adingra supplied them a lot width that stretched Marseille from minute one, and made the area for Pedro and Gross to take benefit. Mitoma might not have scored for some 15 video games now, and must, however he’s an inspiration, and as very important to their success as any of the 11.
Participant scores
BRIGHTON: Steele 6; Igor Julio, Dunk 7, Joao Pedro 8; Gilmour 7; Gross 8, Mitoma 8; Adingra 7, Van Hecke 8, Bunonanotte 6, Hinshelwood 6. Subs: Milner 6, Lallana 5, Baleba 5, Veltman 6, Ferguson 7
MARSEILLE: Lopez 5; Lodi 6, Balerdi 6, Meite 7, Mbemba 7, Clauss 7, Veretout 6, Ounahi 6, Harit 6, Vitinha 5, Aubameyang 4. Subs: Murillo 6, Kondogbia 5, Sarr 5, Ndiaye 5
Match Highlights
49′ – Brighton check the Marseille keeper! – Adingra spots the run of Billy Gilmour up from the again, whose shot had sufficient venom that the keeper could not take it cleanly.
59′ – Marseille hit the woodwork once more! – Harit beats the keeper with a poke from about 15 yards but it surely hits the foot of the left put up. Steele was lucky that it did not deflect off his again and into the aim. Dunk obtained again nicely to clear it away.
88′ – Purpose! Brighton 1-0 Marseille (Joao Pedro) The breakthrough! What a staff aim that was. LIttle passes by means of the center after which Pascal Gross threaded it by means of to Joao Pedro within the field, who lastly obtained the end proper. The Amex erupts!
Key stats
- Brighton have now solely failed to attain in one among their final 32 matches in all competitions.
- Brighton stored 4 consecutive clear sheets within the Europa League to succeed in the final 16.
- Marseille have not overwhelmed English competitors since December 2010.
- Joao Pedro’s six Europa League targets is greater than some other participant in any European competitors this season.
