Brighton qualified for Europe for the first time in their history as they produced one of the most comfortable football results of the weekend in the Premier League. A victory makes them nearly guaranteed to finish in the top six of the Premier League, which assures qualification for the Europa League due to their superior goal difference. Aston Villa would need to defeat them on the last day and benefit from a 16-goal swing in order to pass them.This was a historic day for a football team that, on the final day of the 1996–1997 campaign, avoided relegation from the football league thanks to a 1–1 tie that dropped Hereford on goal differential. It has been precisely 40 years since Manchester United suffered a loss in their lone major final.
Tony Bloom’s ownership has led to their meteoric ascent. In the first half, Southampton’s supporters repeatedly made fun of them after their relegation was confirmed, sarcastically applauding a Brighton possession sequence that culminated with Kaoru Mitoma hitting the post. The Japanese winger squandered two opportunities, having just curled a similarly magnificent opportunity wide. Although Carlos Alcaraz missed a shot for the Saints, the Brighton players were the ones with the most dynamism and enthusiasm, and you could feel a home goal approaching. After Saints’ weak midfield play enabled Alexis Mac Allister to stroll into the box and feed the striker, Ferguson snatched it. He made a powerful attempt that managed to escape Alex McCarthy’s grasp, who really ought to have done better. With Brighton maintaining possession with such certainty and purpose, the game had officially been decided.
However, the visitors’ continued lack of judgment allowed Brighton to score their second goal when Mitoma ran off following a mistake and crossed for Ferguson to slide home his second. After the interval, it should have set the mood for a party-like atmosphere, but Southampton rediscovered their footing. After Elyounoussi successfully flicked home a well-placed James Ward-Prowse ball, Brighton stumbled for a little while. When Walcott sprinted through on goal and beat Jason Steele with a beautiful finish, the Saints believed they had scored an incredible equalizer. When an offside check revealed that Walcott was just ahead of the action as the game was about to be restarted, the Brighton supporters could relax.
Momentum shifted back in Roberto De Zerbi’s team’s favor at that point, and when Gross scored on a low drive, they regained a two-goal lead. From that point on, it was vintage Brighton, who held the ball with tremendous assurance yet nevertheless managed to keep McCarthy extremely busy and fail to add to their total. As soon as the full-time whistle blew, Brighton began their European tour. There are exciting days coming.
“I’m thrilled with this historic outcome, but we still have one more point to earn to qualify for the Europa League. Conference League is a significant competition, but the Europa is more significant,” Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi said. “Tony Bloom is quite pleased since he is a fan. A fresh team and a new season need to be organized. Create a new team. We don’t require a lot of players, but we do need to compete in the Premier League and in Europe. We’ll lose some key players, and the going will be tougher. They merit the opportunity to play for other teams, thus it’s correct. We need to be prepared to sign significant players for the club. We must show up prepared to compete.”
“I lack knowledge. Since we chatted on Friday, my situation hasn’t changed in any way. In an effort to keep this team and the club together, I have been respectful to the club and have used all of my experience. If something occurs before the Liverpool game, I anticipate someone will approach me to provide clarification,” Southampton boss Ruben Selles said. “I lack knowledge. Since we chatted on Friday, my situation hasn’t changed in any way. In an effort to keep this team and the club together, I have been respectful to the club and have used all of my experience. If something occurs before to the Liverpool game, I anticipate someone will approach me to provide clarification.”
For more football results, click here
