Marseille 2-2 Brighton - Joao Pedro penalty gives Seagulls historic draw in entertaining tie in France

Two disastrous defensive lapses in as many minutes, mid-way through the first half turned a tricky tie for Brighton into an almighty challenge. It proved to be one the Seagulls were equal to, as they came back from two goals down to claim their first ever points in European competition.

For Marseille’s first goal, Chancel Mbemba found himself in the middle of the box with plenty of space. The defender swiped home a ball from Jonathan Clauss that shouldn't have ever made it through from the right.

Less than two minutes later and it was 2-0 to the home side. A swing and a miss from Brighton captain Lewis Dunk after receiving the ball straight from the kick-off saw Marseille charging at Brighton again. Amine Harit put Jordan Veretout through, who sidefooted past Jason Steele.

Brighton twice came close to getting a goal back as the half drew to a close. First from Ansu Fati, who got his head onto a sneaky ball over the top and forced a good save from Pau Lopez, then from Danny Welbeck, who leapt onto another fine pass and called the keeper into action again.

In the second half it was like a different Brighton, as the away team looked to impose themselves on the game and get an early goal back. After several passages of positive play, that goal came thanks to a brilliant run from Tariq Lamptey down the left, past several Marseille defenders and into the box. He cut the ball back to Pascal Gross who was perfectly positioned in the middle, and the German midfielder slotted home.

Brighton earned their equaliser from the penalty spot on 86 minutes, after more strong attacking saw Jonathan Clauss tread on the foot of Tariq Lamptey. Joao Pedro slotted away the spot kick with ease.

Brighton went in search of the winner, and were the more likely team to get it, but in the end had to settle for the draw. It will certainly feel like one point won, rather than two dropped.

After going two goals down, on their first ever European away trip, Brighton could easily have crumbled. Conceding a third might have done for them, but the seagulls refused to believe they were down and out. If anything, they played better when they were behind than later, when they were level. It was like the players reminded each other how they got here in the first place. Roberto De Zerbi surely said something special to them at half time, because they came out for the second 45 all guns blazing. The early goal back came as no surprise, nor did the equaliser. Make no mistake: Brighton belong in Europe.

Pascal Gross. Take your pick from any one of eleven, to be honest but the German midfielder seemed to be the player driving Brighton on, stirring his team-mates into action, refusing to let them lose their heads even at 2-0 down. He did as much running as anyone, adding himself to an attacking force that needed additional number. It came as no surprise that he should be the one in position to receive the ball and slot home the goal that truly allowed Brighton to believe they were back in the game. Additional shout-out to Lewis Dunk who was unquestionably guilty for one of the goals, but did everything possible to redeem himself bar getting one himself.

MARSEILLE: Lopez 7; Murillo 5, Balerdi 5, Mbemba 5, Clauss 6, Veretout 7, Rongier 5, Correa 7, Harit 6, Ndiaye 6, Aubameyang 6… Subs: Lodi 6, Ounahi 5, Sarr 6, Vitinha 5

BRIGHTON: Steele 6; Dunk 6, Lamptey 7; Dahoud 5; March 5, Gross 8, Welbeck 7, Mitoma 7; Van Hecke 7, Fati 7, Veltman 7... Subs: Gimour 6, Adingra 6, Ferguson 6

19' - GOAL! - MARSEILLE 1 - 0 BRIGHTON And it's the big centre back, Chancel Mbemba, who finds himself in the middle with plenty of space, and swipes in a ball that shouldn't have made it through from March.
20' - GOAL! - MARSEILLE 2 - 0 BRIGHTON Two in a minute for Marseille, and it's come from a mistake by the Brighton captain, Lewis Dunk, hours after receiving news of his England call-up. Jordan Veretout seized on the error in the middle, whipped at it and it was deflected into the net.
54' - GOAL! MARSEILLE 1 - 2 BRIGHTON Brilliant from Lamptey running with the ball down the left, then to force his way into the box before finding Pascal Gross. Gross was well positioned and had time to pick his spot, well out of reach of the keeper Lopez.
86' - PENALTY FOR BRIGHTON! Jonathan Clauss steps on the foot of Tariq Lamptey and it might go to the video ref, but there's no doubt about it. What a moment this could be for Brighton.
88' - GOAL! MARSEILLE 2 - 2 BRIGHTON Cool as you like, Joao Pedro makes it all square. He sent the keeper to the left, went the other way, and kept it low. Perfect penalty.

Both teams had 14 shots this evening, with Brighton having 5 on target to Marseille's 4.

Marseille have now won only one of their last 16 matches against English Premier League opposition, but have halted a run of six losses in a row.

Marseille have won only one of their last 17 UEFA Europa League group matches.

Brighton achieved their best ever result in European football - two games, one loss, one draw.