Brighton & Hove Albion have secured a position in the 2023-24 Europa League group stage courtesy of a 1-1 draw with Manchester City in the Premier League on Wednesday night.
The Seagulls entered the match knowing that a point would guarantee sixth position in the Premier League table and a spot in next season's Europa League.
Man City made the breakthrough in the 25th minute through Phil Foden, but Julio Enciso's stunner in the latter stages of the first period secured a share of the spoils for the home side at the Amex.
Pep Guardiola's side, who were recently confirmed as champions, have seen their 12-match winning run in the Premier League come to an end, and they will end their campaign against Brentford on Sunday before facing Manchester United and Inter Milan in the FA Cup final and Champions League final respectively.
Brighton, meanwhile, will now face Aston Villa in a pressure-free contest on Sunday, knowing that Unai Emery's side cannot catch them in sixth regardless of the result at Villa Park.
Man City had a golden chance to take the lead in the fifth minute when Foden's excellent cross found Erling Braut Haaland at the far post, but the Norway international surprisingly headed over the crossbar.
Brighton had a clear opening of their own in the ninth minute when the ball was worked into Danny Welbeck in space, but the forward's effort was charged down by Foden at the vital moment.
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Billy Gilmour then saw his shot saved by Stefan Ortega in the 10th minute, with Brighton starting to enjoy more of the ball against the recently-crowned Premier League champions.
Ortega had to make another save in the 17th minute to keep out a long-range Pascal Gross free kick, before Welbeck crashed a free kick of his own off the crossbar two minutes later.
Jason Steele then denied Haaland from a one-on-one down the other end, but Man City ultimately made the breakthrough in the 25th minute of the match through Foden.
Haaland again broke into a dangerous area but this time decided to pass to Foden, who managed to find the back of the net despite the best efforts of Jan Paul van Hecke.
Brighton thought that they were level in the 31st minute when Kaoru Mitoma bundled the ball home from close range, but the goal was disallowed for a handball from the Japan international.
The Seagulls then brought another save from Ortega in the 35th minute, with Facundo Buonanotte dancing into the Man City box before attempting to find the back of the net.
Brighton were deservedly level in the 38th minute, and it was a tremendous strike from Enciso, who picked out the top corner with a stunning effort from outside the box.
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Welbeck thought that he had sent the Seagulls ahead in the 44th minute when he converted from a narrow angle, but the offside flag denied the former Manchester United youngster.
Welbeck then passed up a big chance late in the half, with the attacker failing to make proper contact on a cross from the left, with Man City fortunate to enter the interval on level terms.
Ilkay Gundogan had a low strike deflected just wide of the Brighton post in the 49th minute, before Rico Lewis was denied by Steele, with the visitors making the stronger start to the second period at the Amex.
Brighton burst into life in the 55th minute, though, with Evan Ferguson bringing a smart save from Ortega, who then denied Mitoma from close range during a strong period for the hosts.
Haaland flashed one wide of the post down the other end in the 67th minute, before Pervis Estupinan fired one just past Ortega's goal in the 77th minute, with both teams looking for the winner late on.
Man City appeared to score their second in the 79th minute, with Haaland breaking free of Levi Colwill inside the penalty box before heading a Cole Palmer cross into the back of the net, but the referee disallowed the goal after being sent across to the monitor, much to the frustration of Guardiola, as the Man City forward pulled the defender's shirt.
Mitoma headed over the crossbar down the other end moments later, but neither side could find a winner as the points were shared, and it remains to be seen whether it is the final time that Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo are seen in Brighton shirts at the Amex.
Matt Law
