With a victory over Ajax on Thursday evening within the Europa League, Brighton and Hove Albion gained its first European sport. Objectives from new boys Joao Pedro and Ansu Fati ensured the Premier League facet a two-goal victory over the four-time Champions League winners.
All the probabilities within the first half fell to the hosts. By the top of the primary 45 minutes, Ajax didn’t have a shot on course. Brighton, alternatively, had 4 pictures on course. The primary three fell to 3 totally different gamers. James Milner, Joao Pedro and Kaoru Mitoma all examined the Ajax internet.
The primary probability of the sport was simply six minutes in. Joao Pedro fired a shot after buildup play from Mitoma. The shot went simply vast. All through the sport, Pedro and the remainder of the Seagulls would come narrowly near pictures on course that whizzed simply vast.
Nonetheless, it was for Brighton simply three minutes earlier than halftime. Slick footwork from Mitoma led to the Japanese worldwide firing a shot on purpose. Ajax goalkeeper Diant Ramaj acquired right down to make the save. His parry fell on to Pedro who slammed the ball into the again of the online. A boisterous American Specific Stadium lastly noticed Brighton take the lead in a European sport.
Ansu Fati provides a second for Brighton
Brighton picked up the second half the place it left the primary half. Despite the fact that Ajax lastly mustered a shot on course, Brighton doubled its benefit in one other bout of sensational play. A team-oriented purpose yielded calm play out from the again. Billy Gilmour discovered Simon Adingra on the proper facet. Adingra then discovered Ansu Fati within the field. allowed the Spaniard on mortgage from Barcelona to roll the ball past Ramaj.
Not lengthy after, Fati almost secured a brace after a blistering shot whistled simply vast of the submit. But, Ajax got here shut a minute later. Steven Berghuis hit the Brighton submit in an effort to halve the lead. Brighton defenders desperately cleared the ball away from any hazard.
All through the remainder of the sport, Ajax regarded devoid of any creativity going ahead. Ajax did nicely to keep up any clear scoring probabilities from Brighton after Fati’s second purpose. Mitoma slowed down as Ajax soaked up a lot of the offensive risk from the Seagulls. By then, the harm was carried out to the Dutch facet.
Dominant Brighton efficiency provides strain on Ajax
Brighton’s conquer Ajax is the Premier League facet’s first-ever win in European play. Consequently, it’s arguably Brighton’s best-ever consequence. By comparability, this loss capitulates the problems for Ajax. The Dutch giants have one win in seven video games throughout all competitions this season. Not solely is Ajax backside of its Champions League group. The membership is within the relegation zone within the Eredivisie.
Whereas Brighton is flying excessive below Roberto de Zerbi, there’s extra shake-up at Ajax. The membership sacked Maurice Steijn this season. It needs to convey again former assistant Mitchell van der Gaag from Manchester United. In reality, any consequence will seemingly convey optimistic change to the membership.
PHOTOS: IMAGO
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