Brighton rode their luck earlier than the tide turned at AEK Athens as Joao Pedro’s second-half penalty ensured the Seagulls assured a top-two spot within the group with a recreation to spare.
AEK had their possibilities even after Mijat Gacinovic noticed crimson moments after Pedro put Brighton forward, however Roberto De Zerbi’s facet held on to advance.
It was an immensely hard-earned, and in reality fortuitous, three factors. Brighton began brightly however their dominance was short-lived as AEK grew into the duty, with the hosts going shut a number of instances late within the first half – Steven Zuber notably seeing his effort deflect off Lewis Dunk and hit the submit.
AEK had 13 makes an attempt within the opening 45 minutes, with TNT Sports activities professional Peter Crouch admitting it was an “uncharacteristic” and “poor” half from Brighton, whereas Steve Sidwell claimed it was the “worst” show he has seen from the Seagulls this season.
With simply 43 per cent possession, it was their lowest half-time complete this marketing campaign thus far, and but they discovered themselves forward 10 minutes into the second half, Pedro profitable after which scoring the penalty in opposition to the run of play.
AEK then misplaced their composure and Gacinovic was quickly despatched off for a second bookable offence, and although the hosts threw warning to the wind, it was Brighton who have been celebrating on the full-time whistle.
The win secures a top-two end, which suggests on the very least a spot within the play-off recreation in opposition to a 3rd place workforce from the Champions League – high spot will likely be settled after they host Marseille on December 14.
Speaking level – Not fairly however job carried out for Brighton
Crouch and Sidwell summed it up completely at full-time. “Not their most interesting night time,” admitted Crouch. “Not fairly,” added Sidwell.
However crucially: three factors. With 9 gamers lacking by way of harm or suspension a victory on the street will likely be all that issues for De Zerbi, whose squad is trying stretched as they juggle Europe with home soccer.
Beat Marseille and they’re going to keep away from the play-offs and head straight into the final 16. Given their record of absentees, two fewer matches come the New 12 months will likely be simply what they want.
Participant of the match – Lewis Dunk (Brighton)
Orbelin Pineda deserves credit score for taking the sport to Brighton, however crucially the Seagulls left this match with three factors and a clear sheet because of Lewis Dunk, a large on the again – as soon as once more.
Participant rankings
AEK Athens: Stankovic 6; Rota 6, Vida 7, Moukoudi 6, Hajsafi 7; Szymanski 7; Amrabat 6, Mantalos 7, Pineda 7, Gacinovic 5; Zuber 7. Subs: Araujo 6, Ponce 6, Eliasson 6, Pizarro n/a.
Brighton: Verbruggen 6; Veltman 6, Dunk 8, Igor 7, Hinshelwood 6; Gross 5, Gilmour 6; Adingra 6, Pedro 6, Mitoma 5; Ferguson 5. Subs: Milner 6, Dahoud 6, Duffus n/a.
Match highlights
32’ WIDE!! That was shut… The nook finds Zuber whose glancing header appears as if it’d nestle into the far nook from one angle. As an alternative, it sails narrowly broad.
44’ – OFF THE POST! That’s some tidy footwork from Zuber inside the world, and his effort from a decent angle deflects off Dunk and rattles the close to submit. Gacinovic can not flip within the rebound and it’s a let-off for Brighton, simply as Zuber heads it straight at Verbruggen.
52’ SAVE! AEK are on the assault and Mantalos pulls it again for Gacinovic, whose effort from the sting of the world is straight at Verbruggen however has some fizz on it, forcing the Brighton ‘keeper to get one hand to it and parry it away.
54’ VAR CHECK – PENALTY TO BRIGHTON Sandro Scharer has been despatched to the pitchside monitor… Pedro will get goal-side of Szymanski and goes down within the AEK field. Scharer has a fast watch and provides the penalty to Brighton! What a wonderful likelihood.
55’ GOAL! AEK ATHENS 0-1 BRIGHTON (JOAO PEDRO) Joao Pedro makes no mistake from the spot! Brighton’s No 9 sends Stankovic the unsuitable manner and the Seagulls are heading in the right direction to succeed in the knockouts with a recreation to spare! They haven’t been at their greatest, and but they’re forward!
66’ GACINOVIC IS OFF It’s going from unhealthy to worse for AEK and significantly Gacinovic. Veltman will get to the ball a split-second earlier than the AEK participant, and on a yellow card already, it’s a second reserving after he treads on the boot of the Brighton defender. He didn’t imply it, however he was too late, and now he’s off…
75’ CLOSE!! Down the opposite finish, Pineda is a whisker away from levelling for AEK. An enormous warning! His try appears as if it comes off Dunk when going broad of the far submit, however it’s a purpose kick and a reprieve for Brighton.