MX23RW : Monday, November 4 21:10:04| >> :120:20692:20692:
[monks data]
Brighton logo
Europa League | Group Stage
Oct 26, 2023 at 8pm UK
The American Express Community Stadium
Ajax

Brighton
2 - 0
Ajax

Pedro (42'), Fati (53')
Mitoma (22'), Paul van Hecke (31')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Brighton & Hove Albion breeze past Ajax to clinch first European victory

Brighton breeze past Ajax to clinch first European victory
© Reuters
Brighton & Hove Albion beat Ajax 2-0 at the Amex Stadium to claim their first-ever victory in European competition.

Brighton & Hove Albion celebrated their first-ever victory in UEFA competition after goals from Joao Pedro and Ansu Fati secured a 2-0 win over struggling Ajax.

After penning Ajax into their own half, Brighton's pressure finally told in the closing stages of the first period when Pedro followed up on a rebound to give the hosts a precious lead at the interval.

Fati doubled the advantage inside the opening 10 minutes of the second half to put the hosts in complete control against their sub-par opponents.

Although Steven Berghuis struck the woodwork in the 57th minute, a feeble Ajax side showed little signs of mounting a comeback.

The result leaves third-placed Brighton one point behind the top two, while the Dutch club dropped down to the bottom of the group, having collected two points from their three matches.

Brighton & Hove Albion's Joao Pedro celebrates scoring their first goal on October 26, 2023© Reuters

Ajax travelled to the English South-coast in a crisis after experiencing their worst-ever start to an Eredivisie season.

Interim boss Hedwiges Maduro was taking charge of his first game following the dismissal of Maurice Steijn, who was sacked after Sunday's 4-3 defeat to FC Utrecht.

Maduro saw his side spend the majority of the first period in their own half, as Brighton immediately asserted their authority on the contest.

The Seagulls threatened in the opening stages, with Pedro firing wide after being teed up by Japan international Kaoru Mitoma.

James Milner then saw his tame effort comfortably gathered, before Simon Adingra fizzed his half-volley over the bar, as the hosts continued to put their opponents under pressure.

With less than 10 minutes remaining before the break, Pedro was presented with another opportunity, but he was unable to beat Ajax goalkeeper Diant Ramaj.

Pedro was undeterred and subsequently grabbed a deserved opener in the 41st minute when he pounced on Ramaj's parry to thump home his fourth goal of Brighton's Europa League campaign.

Brighton & Hove Albion's Kaoru Mitoma in action with Ajax's Anton Gaaei on October 26, 2023© Reuters

After taking a narrow lead into the break, Roberto De Zerbi's side quickly doubled their advantage after the restart through Barcelona loanee Fati.

The Spaniard timed his run to latch onto Adingra's inch-perfect through ball, before producing a composed finish into the bottom corner.

Fresh from netting his first Europa League goal, Fati threatened to add to his tally just minutes later, thrashing a powerful effort wide of the Ajax goal.

Having spent the majority of the contest without the ball, the Dutch giants finally mustered a meaningful chance just before the hour mark when Berghuis crashed a left-footed shot against the near-post.

That was as good as it got for the underwhelming visitors, who are now winless in nine matches across all competitions.

Brighton, meanwhile, ended their five-game wait for a victory, ensuring that they carry some momentum into Sunday's Premier League meeting with Fulham.

ID:527458:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5265:No Data Analysis info
Game History

How you voted: Brighton vs Ajax

Brighton & Hove Albion
68.5%
Draw
13.4%
Ajax
18.1%
127
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Brighton & Hove Albion's Solly March is placed on a stretcher after sustaining an injury as Lewis Dunk looks on on October 21, 2023
Read Next:
Brighton's De Zerbi issues concerning March injury update
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio33009
2Spurs33009
3Anderlecht33009
4Ajax32107
5Frankfurt32107
6Midtjylland32107
7Galatasaray32107
8Bodo/Glimt32107
9Lyon32016
10Rangers32016
11Olympiacos32016
12FCSB32016
13Fenerbahce31205
14Porto31114
15Slavia Prague31114
16Real Sociedad31114
17Roma31114
18Hoffenheim31114
19AZ31023
20Man Utd30303
21Plzen30303
22Ferencvaros31023
23Elfsborg31023
24Malmo31023
25Braga31023
26Besiktas31023
27FC Twente30212
28Union SG30121
29PAOK30121
30Ludogorets30121
31Nice30121
32RFS30121
33Athletic Club00000
34M. Tel Aviv30030
35Dynamo Kiev30030
36Qarabag30030


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!