Evan Ferguson (left) further highlighted his great potential with two goals against Amex.
Members of the Brighton team that played in the 1983 FA Cup Final were introduced to the Amex fans at half-time in this somewhat nervous match. That side notoriously lacked glory when Gordon Smith's last shot was deflected by Manchester United's Gary Bailey, but the 2023 team weren't wrong. The stylish side of Roberto De Zerbi secured the best record in their history and first place in European competition by defeating relegated Southampton.
Saturday's results meant sixth place and They secured a place in the Europa League against a team that had nothing to do to play and it all looked over when two goals from Evan Ferguson gave them a 2-0 lead at half-time.
But Southampton showed themselves decently, played Mohamed Elyounoussi, and only Var could not equalize. But Pascal Gross, one of Brighton's relatively unsung heroes, made it 3-1, and songs about European tours began to play from the North Stand. Oddly enough, this was the first time in 12 meetings between these clubs in the Premier League that the hosts won. Southampton's winless streak has stretched to 13 games.
Theoretically, Aston Villa can still catch up with Brighton coming to them on Sunday, but this will require a big change in goal difference. It is more likely that Villa and Tottenham Hotspur, who travel to Leeds on the final day, will be competing for a place in the European Conference League.
De Zerby made five substitutions in a team that lost 4-1 away to Newcastle. United on Thursday, bringing the starting XI closer to the full squad. Ruben Selles came on three times as a substitute for the Southampton side that lost to Fulham last weekend, including giving only a third promotion to the Premier League for James Bree, signed by Nathan Jones from his former club Luton Town in January.
Brighton squandered a good chance to take the lead in the seventh minute when Kaoru Mitoma swept past Lanco only to shoot wide. However, Southampton missed an even better one at half-time 10 minutes later when a Theo Walcott pass freed Carlos Alcaraz, but with the only goalkeeper Jason Steele to beat, he hit the billboards to the right of the net.
The guests were not in the mood to give away points to Brighton, and their fans rejoiced at the hosts. an obvious disappointment that only intensified when Mitoma intercepted Alex McCarthy's shot and then somehow managed to hit the post.
The breakout goal in the 29th minute was so simple that you wonder why no haven't tried it before. Ferguson took a short pass from Alexis McAllister to the right of the box and just hit the net so hard that the ball went under Alex McCarthy before he could dive.
It was the 18-year-old Irish striker's fifth Premier League goal, and his sixth came five minutes before half-time as Mitoma outplayed Romeo Lavia from the left and fired low, with Ferguson hitting back through McCarthy for the first time. and in.
Southampton, however, was not finished. Elyounoussi peeked into James Ward-Prowse's corner in the 57th minute and their fans were waiting for a repeat of last year's game here when their team came back 2-0 to draw 2-2.
It almost happened, when Ward-Prowse sent Theo Walcott to flick the ball over the advancing Steele, but Ware pulled the former England striker offside.
Brighton's defense was wide open, but they seemed to think attacking was the best form defense, and this was confirmed just after the 69th minute when Gross picked up the ball from a corner, stepped inside Joe Aribo and struck a low shot between McCarthy and his near post.
< p>This calmed home nerves, and Mac Allister Almost wowed the crowd with his thunderous late volley, but Brighton has already done enough to earn the coveted reward.
Lineups Brighton vs. Southampton
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