AEK Athens 0-1 Brighton & Hove Albion - Joao Pedro penalty secures top-two spot for Seagulls with one game to spare
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Updated 01/12/2023 at 00:36 GMT
Brighton were far from their best away in Greece against AEK Athens, particularly in the first-half but in the second-half Joao Pedro both won and scored a penalty that proved to be the only goal of the game. It meant that Brighton have secured a top-two finish in the group and are guaranteed at least a play-off game against a third-place Champions League team.
Joao Pedro of Brighton & Hove Albion celebrates after scoring the team's first goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 match betweek AEK Athens FC and Brighton & Hove Albion on November 30, 2023 in Athens, Greece.
Image credit: Getty Images
Brighton rode their luck before the tide turned at AEK Athens as Joao Pedro’s second-half penalty ensured the Seagulls guaranteed a top-two spot in the group with a game to spare.
AEK had their chances even after Mijat Gacinovic saw red moments after Pedro put Brighton ahead, but Roberto De Zerbi’s side held on to advance.
It was an immensely hard-earned, and in truth fortuitous, three points. Brighton started brightly but their dominance was short-lived as AEK grew into the task, with the hosts going close several times late in the first half - Steven Zuber notably seeing his effort deflect off Lewis Dunk and hit the post.
AEK had 13 attempts in the opening 45 minutes, with TNT Sports expert Peter Crouch admitting it was an “uncharacteristic” and “poor” half from Brighton, while Steve Sidwell claimed it was the “worst” display he has seen from the Seagulls this season.
With just 43 per cent possession, it was their lowest half-time total this campaign so far, and yet they found themselves ahead 10 minutes into the second half, Pedro winning and then scoring the penalty against the run of play.
AEK then lost their composure and Gacinovic was soon sent off for a second bookable offence, and though the hosts threw caution to the wind, it was Brighton who were celebrating at the full-time whistle.
The win secures a top-two finish, which means at the very least a place in the play-off game against a third place team from the Champions League - top spot will be settled when they host Marseille on December 14.
Talking point – Not pretty but job done for Brighton
Crouch and Sidwell summed it up perfectly at full-time. "Not their finest night," admitted Crouch. "Not pretty," added Sidwell.
But crucially: three points. With nine players missing through injury or suspension a victory on the road will be all that matters for De Zerbi, whose squad is looking stretched as they juggle Europe with domestic football.
Beat Marseille and they will avoid the play-offs and head straight into the last 16. Given their list of absentees, two fewer matches come the New Year will be just what they need.
Player of the match – Lewis Dunk (Brighton)
Orbelin Pineda deserves credit for taking the game to Brighton, but crucially the Seagulls left this match with three points and a clean sheet thanks to Lewis Dunk, a giant at the back – once again.
Player ratings
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 close… The corner finds Zuber whose glancing header looks as though it might nestle into the far corner from one angle. Instead, it sails narrowly wide.
44’ - OFF THE POST! That is some tidy footwork from Zuber inside the area, and his effort from a tight angle deflects off Dunk and rattles the near post. Gacinovic cannot turn in the rebound and it’s a let-off for Brighton, just as Zuber heads it straight at Verbruggen.
52’ SAVE! AEK are on the attack and Mantalos pulls it back for Gacinovic, whose effort from the edge of the area is straight at Verbruggen but 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 sent to the pitchside monitor… Pedro gets goal-side of Szymanski and goes down in the AEK box. Scharer has a quick watch and gives the penalty to Brighton! What a glorious chance.
55’ GOAL! AEK ATHENS 0-1 BRIGHTON (JOAO PEDRO) Joao Pedro makes no mistake from the spot! Brighton’s No 9 sends Stankovic the wrong way and the Seagulls are on course to reach the knockouts with a game to spare! They haven’t been at their best, and yet they’re ahead!
66’ GACINOVIC IS OFF It’s going from bad to worse for AEK and particularly Gacinovic. Veltman gets to the ball a split-second before the AEK player, and on a yellow card already, it’s a second booking after he treads on the boot of the Brighton defender. He didn’t mean it, but he was too late, and now he’s off…
75’ CLOSE!! Down the other end, Pineda is a whisker away from levelling for AEK. A huge warning! His attempt looks as though it comes off Dunk when going wide of the far post, but it’s a goal kick and a reprieve for Brighton.
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