The game that would make Albion history
21 MAY 2023 ,
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 3 ( Evan Ferguson 2 Pascal Gross 1 - )
SOUTHAMPTON 1 ( Mohamed Elyounoussi 1 - ) -
PREMIER LEAGUE at the AMERICAN EXPRESS COMMUNITY - STADIUM, FALMER.
Needing a win to ensure European football next season for the first time in their 122 year history, the Albion welcomed already-relegated Southampton to the Amex for a Premier League game, broadcast over the airwaves on BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
After their 1-4 defeat at Newcastle United on the 18 May, Albion made five changes to their starting line-up from that game, with Joel Veltman, Levi Colwill, Julio Enciso, Alexis Mac Allister and Evan Ferguson replacing Jan Paul Van Hecke, Billy Gilmour, Facundo Buonanotte, Deniz Undav and Danny Welbeck.
Southampton's relegation to the Sky Bet Championship was sealed in their previous outing when they lost 0-2 at home to Fulham on the 13 May, The Saints had spent the last eleven seasons in the Premier and for their visit to the Amex Interim Head Coach Ruben Selles made three changes to his starting line-up from the Fulham game, with James Bree, Mohamed Elyounoussi and Joe Aribo coming in for Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Stuart Armstrong and Paul Onuachu.
Previously this season, in the reverse fixture at St.Mary's Stadium on the 26 December 2022, the Albion won 3-1, with the goals coming from Adam Lallana (14m), Romain Perraud, own goal (35m) and Solly March (56m) and James Ward-Prowse (73m) netting for the Saints.
In their meetings in the Premier last season, the teams drew twice, 1-1 at St. Mary's Stadium on the 4 December 2021, with Armando Broja (29m) scoring for Southampton and Neal Maupay (90+8m) netting a last-gasp equaliser for the Albion. At the Amex on the 24 April 2022 it was 2-2, with Danny Welbeck (2m) and Mohamed Salisu, own goal (44m) scoring for the Seagulls and James Ward-Prowse 2 (45+4m & 54m) scoring for the Saints.
It was all Albion from the start and early chances fell to Kaoru Mitoma whose shot fizzed inches wide of the post and then Moises Caicedo who saw his shot comfortably saved by Southampton keeper Alex McCarthy. The visitors then woke up and Carlos Alcaraz fired wide of the target when well-placed and just past the twenty minute mark the lively Mitoma had a shot which came back off the post and into the arms of McCarthy. Eventually Albion's pressure paid off as Evan Ferguson took a pass from Alexis Mac Allister in his stride before lashing a powerful right-foot shot past McCarthy for Albion's opener. 1-0.
The Seagulls doubled their lead on 40 minutes when Mitoma crossed to Ferguson from the left and the young Irishman clinically fired a right-foot shot past McCarthy for his and Albion's second. 2-0.
The Seagulls had one further chance prior to the break but Mitoma fired wide when well-placed. Albion's half by a mile.
Half-time 2-0.
The Seagulls started the second-half brightly but on 58 minutes Saints surprised their hosts as a corner by James Ward-Prowse was headed home by Mohamed Elyounoussi. 2-1. Minutes later, on a swift counter, Theo Walcott chipped the ball over Jason Steele in the Albion goal but VAR came to Albion's rescue, ruling that Walcott had strayed offside in the build-up.
The Seagulls restored their two-goal advantage on 69 minutes, when from a corner Pascal Gross side-stepped Romeo Lavia before sending a left-foot shot past McCarthy. It was Gross's 26th Premier League goal for the Albion, equalling Glenn Murray's 26 Premier League goal haul for the Albion. 3-1.
Before the end, Mac Allister and substitutes Deniz Undav and Danny Welbeck all went close to adding to Albion's lead.
Final-score 3-1.
Stats:
Albion had 26 shots at goal, with 8 on target and won 4 corners, free-kicks conceded - 8.
Southampton had 5 shots at goal, with 1 on target and won 3 corners, free-kicks conceded - 9.
TO SUM UP - A routine performance and three points which ensures European football for Albion next season - a magnificent achievement. One point from their remaining two games will see Albion partake in the stronger Europa League and finish in sixth place in the Premier - their best ever top flight finish.
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Jason Steele; Joel Veltman (Deniz Undav 74), Lewis Dunk (Capt). Levi Colwill (Jan Paul Van Hecke 89), Pervis Estupinan; Pascal Gross, Moises Caicedo; Julio Enciso (Facundo Buonanotte 46), Alexis MacAllister, Kaoru Mitoma (Billy Gilmour 89); Evan Ferguson (Danny Welbeck 85).
Subs not used: Tom McGill (G/K), Yasin Ayari, Andrew Moran, Cameron Peupion.
Southampton line-up (4-1-4-1):- Alex McCarthy; James Bree (Tino Livramento 77), Jan Bednarek, Lyanco, Kyle Walker-Peters; Romeo Lavia (Kami Doyle 84); Theo Walcott, James Ward-Prowse (Capt), Carlos Alcaraz (Stuart Armstrong 71),Mohamed Elyounoussi (Kamal-Deen Sulemana 71); Joe Aribo (Dom Ballard 70).
Subs not used: Gavin Bazuna (G/K), Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Duje Caleta-Car, Paul Onuachu.
Referee: Paul Tierney (Lancashire).
Yellow Cards: Albion: 2 - Joel Veltman, Facundo Buonanotte.
Southampton: 5 - James Bree, Jan Bednarek, James Ward-Prowse, Carlos Alcaraz, Mohamed Elyounoussi.
Possession: Albion - 63%. Southampton - 37%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Evan Ferguson (Albion).
Attendance: 31507.