Albion head for history in Europe: Brighton 3-1 Southampton photos
Sunday 21st May 2023 will be a day forever remembered in the history of Brighton & Hove Albion as the Seagulls beat Southampton 3-1 to secure European qualification for the first time ever – and we have all the photos from an incredible few hours at the Amex.
A combination of Brentford beating Spurs and Aston Villa drawing with Liverpool 24 hours earlier meant Brighton knew three points would be enough to ensure a top six finish, providing Villa do not manage to overturn a goal difference of 17 in the next week.
Southampton have already been relegated, but an Albion win was by no means guaranteed. Nobody was quite sure how the Seagulls would respond to being outplayed on their way to a 4-1 thrashing at Newcastle United just three days earlier, whilst Brighton had defeated the Saints in Sussex just twice in the past 65 years.
Roberto De Zerbi and this group of players, however, have become rather adept at ending such barren runs of form. Two first half Evan Ferguson goals got the party started and seemed to have proceedings going unusually smoothly for the Albion.
The start of the second half brought a Southampton rally. Mohamed Elyounoussi pulled one back and five minutes later, Theo Walcott thought he had equalised.
Barely a murmur of appeal for offside was raised from the Amex faithful. There was considerable surprise and relief therefore when VAR took a look and discovered Walcott had strayed by the tightest of margins.
That checked the Saints’ momentum and Brighton duly took advantage of the let off, Pascal Gross crashing home a third to make the game safe.
The full time whistle brought with it jubilant scenes of celebration. The squad soaked up the adulation of the crowd on a lap of honour afterwards with De Zerbi conducting the North Stand in song.
Across the city, the party continued long into the night. 12 years ago, Brighton fans were following the Albion to Rochdale, Oldham and Carlisle.
This autumn, it could be games against AC Milan, Ajax and Sporting Lisbon. What a journey. What a football club.
If you have any photos you would like included in our Brighton 3-1 Southampton gallery, please e-mail them to wearebrighton@hotmail.co.uk or tweet them to us @wearebrighton
