Europa: Pedro penalty sends Seagulls into knockouts
Joao Pedro’s penalty earned Brighton a 1-0 win over 10-player AEK Athens and safe passage into the Europa League knockout stages in the Seagulls’ debut continental campaign.
Initially, Roberto de Zerbi’s side found their Greek test a tough one, as they were dominated in the first half and would have fallen behind had Bart Verbruggen not made some smart stops in goal, with Steven Zuber’s strike also hitting the post.
But Brighton struck against the run of play 10 minutes after half-time when Pedro was felled by Damian Szymanski, before the Brazilian stepped up to roll home his spot kick.
READ ALSO On-form Leon Balogun misses crucial Europa League clash
AEK’s indiscipline continued as Mijat Gracinovic was shown a second yellow card for a lunge on Joel Veltman and that gave Brighton enough security to coast to victory.
The Seagulls know that victory at home to Marseille in the final group game will earn them top spot in Group B – which would see them skip the play-off round and move straight into the last-16 stage.
Despite AEK Athens dominating the first half, it was Brighton who actually had the best chance of the game.
The returning Kaoru Mitoma fed Evan Ferguson down the Brighton left and the forward shot as he entered the box, drawing a save from AEK goalkeeper Cican Stankovic, before Domagoj Vida kept out Ferguson’s rebound with a superb block.
Brighton welcomed back Kaoru Mitoma from injury just in time to replace Ansu Fati, who is out for six months.
Igor Julio and Jack Hinshelwood started in defence in place of Tariq Lamptey and Jan-Paul Van Hecke, while Adam Lallana made way for Joao Pedro.
READ ALSO Ten-man Brighton return to winning ways with victory at Forest
Simon Adingra then blasted over the bar a few minutes later, but the Greek hosts then grew into the game before taking control.
Pedro went to ground under Symanski’s challenge in the box and after initially dismissing the claims, the referee stopped play moments later to go and check the monitor.
The spot kick was given and Pedro dispatched it, sending Stankovic the wrong way to send the 2,000 Brighton fans in the 20-degree Greek heat into delirium.