AEK Athens v Brighton live – UEFA Europa League latest as Seagulls secure away win in Group B to reach knockout stages

TNT Sports will broadcast every UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League match from the group stage to the final live over the course of the 2023-24 season.

discovery+ is the streaming home of TNT Sports, the only place to watch the UEFA Champions League live.

You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

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 secure a place in the top two of Group B ahead of their final game at home to Marseille.

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.

The TNT Sports team reflect on a hard-earned win for Brighton…

Peter Crouch: “It wasn’t [great]. Tonight wasn’t their finest night, but they’ll remember the result. They had to dig in and were better in the second half. So calm and composed from Joao Pedro from the penalty spot. A beautiful penalty and it glossed over it really, he didn't really have a good game, but they've come through it."

Steve Sidwell: “Job done. The shots from the team celebrating there. That’s what it’s all about, it wasn’t pretty but they showed character. The adventure continues, and what an adventure it is.”

Smash and grab! Brighton won’t care. They were second-best throughout but the moment Joao Pedro won the penalty the momentum shifted.

Pedro converted it himself, Gacinovic then saw red, and Brighton are playing Europa League football after Christmas!

Whether that’s the play-off or straight into the last 16, well all that depends on their match at home to Marseille on December 14 – that should be a cracker on TNT Sports and discovery+!

AEK chasing the equaliser, Brighton moments away from securing a top-two spot.

And some time to kill for Brighton with a corner after Duffus’ effort deflects wide.

Just as Brighton's 18-year-old sub and debutant Duffus is flagged for offside, the board goes up.

Not giving up… with Vida heading wide as AEK chase the equaliser.

Brighton know they are 10 minutes away now from securing a place in the knockouts. All about game management, this, particularly a man up.

Tactical change from De Zerbi with Milner on.

Ferguson is through on goal and looks to take it around Stankovic. So often we see penalties in that situation, but the AEK ‘keeper does brilliantly to get a touch to take it away from the Brighton forward.

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.

Mantalos, Zuber and Amrabat go off for AEK with Ponce, Araujo and Eliasson on. They’re going for it.

It’s 11 v 10 now and Brighton know the tide has turned. Gilmour goes close but fires his effort over.

A sub now and that’s Mitoma’s evening over – he didn’t quite look fully fit to be honest. Dahoud replaces him.

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…

AEK just getting a bit foully – if that‘s a word? Zuber leads in with his elbow as he goes up for a header that Gilmour was always going to get to first. The elbow is into Gilmour’s body and isn’t dangerous, hence the yellow.

Vida puts in a hefty tackle on Joao Pedro and the Brighton forward is holding his back as he receives some medical attention.

He's down for a while, but a thumbs-up from a member of Brighton's medical staff towards De Zerbi suggests he will be okay to continue, for now.

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!