EUROPA LEAGUE
BRIGHTON v MARSEILLE
14 DECEMBER 2023 -
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 1 ( Joao Pedro 1 - 88 minutes )
MARSEILLE 0 -
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE, GROUP B, MD6 -
at the AMERICAN EXPRESS COMMUNITY STADIUM, FALMER.
The top two teams in Group B of the Europa League met on Matchday 6 at the Amex, "live" in front of the TNT Sports cameras, the match also being covered by BBC Radio Sussex Sport. A win for the Seagulls would see them finish top of Group B, whilst a draw would see Marseille finish top.
The teams met in Matchday 2 at the Stade Orange Velodrome on the 5 October 2023 when the teams drew 2-2, with Albion's goals coming from Pascal Gross (54m) and Joao Pedro (88m, penalty). Marseille's goals came from Chancel Mbemba (19m) and Jordan Veretout (20m). The game also marked the first home match in charge for newly appointed Head Coach, Italian Gennaro Gattuso.
The Albion made six changes to their starting line-up from their previous game, the 1-1 home draw with Burnley in the Premier on the 9 December, with Jason Steele, Jack Hinshelwood, Igor Julio, Billy Gilmour, Facundo Buonanotte, and Kaoru Mitoma coming in for Bart Verbruggen, James Milner, Carlos Baleba, Mahmoud Dahoud, Adam Lallana and Evan Ferguson.
Knowing a win would see them finish top of Group B, the Albion were first out of the blocks and early opportunities saw Simon Adringa fire a shot straight at Marseille goalkeeper Pau Lopez who saved comfortably and Joao Pedro fired wide from a Jack Hinshelwood cross.
The visitors then went close when a fierce shot by Jonathan Clauss took a deflection off Igor Julio before striking the bar, whereupon defender Jan Paul Van Hecke hacked the ball clear. The Seagulls then swept to the other end where Kaoru Mitoma and Pedro had their efforts kept out by keeper Lopez. Five minutes before the break Pascal Gross set-up the lively Mitoma for a volley which was directed straight at Lopez. The Seagulls had had the best of the first-half exchanges and should have been ahead at the interval.
Half-time 0-0.
The Albion continued to dictate issues from the start of the second-half when Billy Gilmour had his shot saved by Lopez and Adringa wastefully sent a shot over the bar after being set-up by Mitoma. The Seagulls had a lucky let-off when Marseille's Amine Harit saw his shot strike a post with Albion keeper Jason Steele well beaten. Despite their concerted efforts the night was developing in to a frustating one for the Albion as evidenced by the fine shot by substitute Evan Ferguson which was flipped over the bar by the busy Lopez. To their credit the Albion didnt stop going forward and with two minutes remaining an excellent move involving Van Hecke and substitute Adam Lallana ended with Gross picking out Pedro who side-stepped a defender before flashing a shot past Lopez from twelve out. The noise from the Albion supporters was incredible as an historic night was written at the Amex and it was also Pedro's sixth European goal of the season. 1--0. The Albion comfortably saw out the final few minutes to clinch a historic victory.
Final-score 1-0.
Match stats:
Albion had 13 attempts at goal, with 5 on target and won 0 corners, free-kicks conceded - 15.
Marseille had 5 attempts at goal, with 0 on target and won 2 corners, free-kicks conceded - 14.
VERDICT - For Albion to finish top of Group B has been an extra-ordinary achievement and means they will avoid two play-off games in the month of February 2024. It has been a real team effort and the management and team deserve all credit for their efforts especially as this has been their first season in European football. The last-sixteen knock-out stage awaits in March 2024.
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Jason Steele; Jack Hinshelwood (James Milner 74), Jan Paul Van Hecke, Lewis Dunk (Capt), Igor Julio; Billy Gilmour (Carlos Baleba 90), Pascal Gross; Simon Adringa (Evan Ferguson 64), Facundo Buonanotte (Adam Lallana 74), Kaoru Mitoma; Joao Pedro (Joel Veltman 90).
Subs not used: Bart Verbruggen (G/K), Mahmoud Dahoud, Jack Hinchy, Samy Chouchane, Leigh Kavanagh, Joshua Duffus, Tom McGill (G/K).
Marseille line-up (3-4-3):- Pau Lopez; Bemo Meite, Chancel Mbemba, Leonardo Balerdi; Jonathan Clauss, Jordan Veretout (Geoffrey Kondogbia 78), Azzedine Ounahi, Renan Lodi (Amir Murillo 55); Carvalho Oliveira (Iliman Ndiaye 52), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Amine Harit (Ismaila Sarr 78).
Subs not used: Simon Ngapandouetnbu (G/K), Samuel Gigot, Francois-Regis Mughe, Bilal Nadir, Emran Soglo, Ruben Blanco
Referee: Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez (Spain).
Yellow Cards: Albion: 4 - Jason Steele, Adam Lallana, Kaoru Mitoma, Joao Pedro.
Marseille: 3 - Chancel Mbemba, Azzedine Ounahi, Ismaila Sarr.
Possession: Albion - 61%. Marseille - 39%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Billy Gilmour (Albion).
Attendance: 30214.
CONTRACT NEWS:
It was announced by the Albion on the 15 December 2023 that defender JAN PAUL VAN HECKE - (23) - had signed a new 4-year contract with the club - effective until June 2027.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES:
21 DECEMBER 2023 - CRYSTAL PALACE - away - Premier
League - kick-off 20.00. "Live" on Sky Sports.
28 DECEMBER 2023 - TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR - home -
Premier League - kick-off 19.30. "Live" on Amazon Prime.
Jack Kaye.
21 December 2023.