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26 OCTOBER 2023 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 2 ( Joao Pedro 1 - 42 minutes, Ansu Fati 1 - 53 minutes )
AFC AJAX 0 - <\/p>\n\n\n\nUEFA EUROPA LEAGUE, GROUP B, MD3 - at the AMERICAN EXPRESS COMMUNITY STADIUM, FALMER.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Matchday 3 and Albion were looking for their first-ever win in European football when they entertained four times Champions League winners AFC Ajax at the Amex for a UEFA Europa League, Group B fixture, \"live\" in front of the TNT Sports cameras and broadcast over the airwaves on BBC Radio Sussex Sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In their previous outing the Seagulls had narrowly lost 1-2 at Manchester City in the Premier on the 21 October and for the visit of Ajax, Albion Head Coach Roberto De Zerbi made four changes to his starting line-up from that game, with Joel Veltman, Jan Paul Van Hecke, Billy Gilmour and Ansu Fati coming in for Igor Julio, Solly March (injured), Carlos Baleba and Danny Welbeck (injured). Joel Veltman was facing his former club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Steeped deep into the annals of European football history, having been four times winners of the Champions League, Ajax had made a dreadful start to their Eredvisie campaign and following a 3-4 defeat at FC Utrecht they parted company with Head Coach Maurice Steijn on the 23 October, just three days prior to their visit to the Amex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In charge for their visit to the Amex was Interim Head Coach Hedwiges Maduro. In the Ajax starting line-up was Captain Steven Bergwijn, formerly with Tottenham Hotspur. On the visitors substitutes bench was striker Chuba Akpom, formerly of Arsenal and Middlesbrough and who also had an unproductive loan spell with the Albion at one time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First chance of the game fell to the Seagulls when Kaoru Mitoma got free on the left from whence he crossed to the lurking Joao Pedro whose shot from close-range missed the target. Next it was the turn of James Milner to squander a good chance from close-in but his shot was straight at Ajax keeper Diant Ramaj. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the other end Anton Gaaei tested Albion goalkeeper Jason Steele with a fierce shot from the right which produced a fine save. The Seagulls were now in the ascendancy and efforts from Simon Adringa and then Pedro went close to giving the home side the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The deadlock was finally broken on 42 minutes when Lewis Dunk's excellent through-ball found Mitoma whose shot was parried by keeper Ramaj into the path of Pedro who coolly slotted the ball home for Albion's opener. It was Pedro's fourth goal of the European campaign. 1-0<\/strong>. The Seagulls left the field to a rousing reception from their fans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Half-time 1-0.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Albion made the ideal start to the second-half when on 53 minutes a swift move involving Billy Gilmour and Adringa ended with the latter's pass to the on-running Ansu Fati whose shot ended up in the Ajax net for a well-taken goal. 2-0.<\/strong> The Seagulls enjoyed a slice of luck when Ajax's Steven Berghuis saw his shot strike the post with keeper Steele well beaten. Substitute Facunda Buonanotte saw his well-struck shot kept out by keeper Ramaj. The Seagulls comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to record their first-ever European win, much to the delight of their fans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Final-score 2-0<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Match stats:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Albion had 12 attempts at goal, with 6 on target and won 5 corners, free-kicks conceded - 6. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ajax had 6 attempts at goal, with 1 on target and won 3 corners, free-kicks conceded - 11.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TO SUM UP<\/strong> - A vital first win for Albion in Europe, which took them up to second spot in Group B. Joao Pedro and Ansu Fati took their goal opportunities well and the Albion will look forward to their trip to Amsterdam on the 9 November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Albion line-up (4-4-2):- Jason Steele; Joel Veltman, Jan Paul Van Hecke (Adam Webster 85), Lewis Dunk (Capt), James Milner (Mahmoud Dahoud 85); Simon Adringa, Pascal Gross, Billy Gilmour (Carlos Baleba 64), Kaoru Mitoma; Ansu Fati (Facunda Buonanotte 64), Joao Pedro (Evan Ferguson 75). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Subs not used: Bart Verbruggen (G\/K), Igor Julio, Adam Lallana, Jack Hinshelwood, Josh Duffus, Tom McGill (G\/K).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
AFC Ajax (4-3-3):- Diant Ramaj; Anton Gaaei, Josip Sutalo, Jorrel Hato, Borna Sasa; Benjamin Tahirovic (Branco Van Den Boomen 60), Steven Berghuis (Mika Godts 60), Kenneth Taylor; Carlos Forbs (Kristian Hlynsson 46), Brian Brobbey (Silvano Vos 75), Steven Bergwijn (Capt) (Chuba Akpom 75). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Subs not used: Remko Pasveer (G\/K), Anass Salah-Eddine, Jakov Medic, Gooijer, Setford, Gaston Avila.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Referee: Bartosz Fraknowski (Poland),
Yellow Cards: Albion: 2 - Jan Paul Van Hecke, Kaoru Mitoma.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPossession: Albion - 64%. Ajax - 36%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Billy Gilmour (Albion).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Attendance: 30540.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
29 OCTOBER 2023 - <\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 1 ( Evan Ferguson 1 - 26 minutes ) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
FULHAM 1 ( Joao Palhinha 1 - 65 minutes ) -<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PREMIER LEAGUE - at the AMERICAN EXPRESS COMMUNITY STADIUM, FALMER.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After the euphoria of the Europa League win over Ajax three days earlier the Albion were back at the Amex for a Premier League clash with Fulham, the match being broadcast over the airwaves on BBC Radio Sussex Sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Roberto De Zerbi, the Albion Head Coach made six changes to his starting line-up from the team which beat AFC Ajax 2-0 at the Amex on the 26 October, with Adam Webster, Igor Julio, Carlos Baleba, Mahmoud Dahoud, Adam Lallana and Evan Ferguson replacing Joel Veltman, Jan Paul Van Hecke, James Milner, Billy Gilmour, Ansu Fati and Joao Pedro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pascal Gross was making his 200th Premier League appearance - a fine achievement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In their previous six meetings in the Premier, the Albion had failed to muster a win over the Cottagers and last season Fulham did the double over the Seagulls. Last time out Fulham had lost 0-2 at Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier on the 23 October and for his team's visit to the Amex Fulham Head Coach Marco Silva made three changes to his starting line-up from that game, with Harrison Reed, Alex Iwobi and Raul Jimenez replacing Sasa Lukic, Andreas Pereira and Carlos Vinicius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last season Fulham did the double over the Albion, the Cottagers winning 2-1 at Craven Cottage on the 30 August 2022, with their goals coming from Aleksandar Mitrovic (48m) and Lewis Dunk (55m, own goal) with Albion's goal being scored by Alexis Mac Allister (60m, penalty). In the reverse game at the Amex on the 18 February 2023, Fulham beat the Seagulls 1-0 with their goal coming from Manor Solomon (88m). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following the fitting tributes to the late Sir Bobby Charlton and former Albion player Gerry Ryan, the match got under way in rainswept conditions and it was the Seagulls who made the early running. Early on, Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno made two excellent saves, firstly diverting Carlos Baleba's shot from distance for a corner and then keeping out Simon Adringa's close-range shot. Further chances were created but disappointingly Baleba, Adringa and Kaoru Mitoma all missed chances, none of them hitting the target when they should have done better, the Albion should by now (20 minutes on the clock) have been out of sight with the three points in the bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To no one's surprise, the Albion took the lead on 26 minutes when Igor Julio found Pascal Gross whose fine through ball found Evan Ferguson who took a touch before placing a deft left-foot shot past keeper Leno into the Fulham net. It was the 19 year-old's fifth Premier League goal of the season. 1-0. Prior to the interval Ferguson was presented with a chance to notch a second but his snap shot was held by the busy Leno. The Seagulls should have been home and dry at the break but it wasnt the case. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Half-time 1-0.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Four minutes into the second-half saw the Albion come ever so close to increasing their lead when from twenty yards out Lewis Dunk's free-kick cleared the Fulham defensive wall but struck the crossbar and bounced over. Another opportunity was missed when Baleba's shot cleared the bar from 20 yards out but then, out of the blue, Fulham equalised against the run of play on 65 minutes. As is their want, Albion played the ball out from the back, Baleba lost possession of the ball to Alex Iwobi who quickly found Joao Palhinha and from 25 yards out the Portugese mid-fielder smashed a right-footer into the top of the Albion net. Fulham were level and the words daylight robbery began to spring to mind. 1-1.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thereafter Albion keeper Jason Steele made an excellent save to keep out a shot from Fulham substitute Rodrigo Muniz. The Seagulls endeavoured to retrieve the situation, substitute Ansu Fati had a goal-bound shot kept out by Leno, Adam Webster's header was headed off the goal-line by Antonee Robinson and in the dying seconds substitute Facunda Buonanotte blazed over when well-placed . So many wasted chances by the Albion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Final-score 1-1.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Match stats: Albion had 18 attempts at goal, with 7 on target and won 7 corners, free-kicks conceded - 12.
Fulham had 10 attempts at goal, with 5 on target and won 3 corners, free-kicks conceded - 8.<\/p>\n\n\n\nVERDICT <\/strong>- A case of two points dropped by the Albion, with so many good chances missed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everton away is the next one up and recently the Seagulls have achieved winning results at Goodison Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Albion line-up (3-4-2-1):- Jason Steele; Adam Webster, Lewis Dunk (Capt), Igor Julio; Simon Adringa (Joel Veltman 71), Carlos Baleba (Facunda Buonanotte 71), Mahmoud Dahoud (Billy Gilmour 71), Kaoru Mitoma; Pascal Gross, Adam Lallana (Ansu Fati 58); Evan Ferguson (Joao Pedro 78). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Subs not used: Bart Verbruggen (G\/K), James Milner, Jan Paul Van Hecke, Jack Hinshelwood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fulham line-up (4-2-3-1):- Bernd Leno; Timothy Castagne, Calvin Bassey, Tim Ream (Capt), Antonee Robinson; Harrison Reed (Andreas Pereira 58), Joao Palhinha; Bobby De Cordova-Reid (Harry Wilson 58), Alex Iwobi (Sasa Lukic 90+2), Willian (Tom Cairney 86); Raul Jimenez (Rodrigo Muniz 58).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Subs not used: Marek Rodak (G\/K), Fode Ballo-Toure, Devan Tanton, Luc De Fougerolles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Referee: Michael Salisbury (Preston).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yellow Cards: Fulham: 3 - Antonee Robinson, Harry Wilson, Rodrigo Muniz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Possession: Albion - 71%. Fulham - 29%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Lewis Dunk (Albion).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Attendance: 31515.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nFORTHCOMING FIXTURES:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
4 NOVEMBER 2023 - EVERTON - away - Premier League - kick-off 15.00.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9 NOVEMBER 2023 - AJAX - away - Europa League -<\/p>\n\n\n\n
kick-off 17.45. \"Live\" on TNT Sports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
12 NOVEMBER 2023 - SHEFFIELD UNITED - home - Premier<\/p>\n\n\n\n
League - kick-off 14.00.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jack Kaye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1 November 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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\n.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Brighton face Ajax Amsterdam and Fulham<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2555","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-jack-kayes-football-reports"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shavuatov.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2555","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shavuatov.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shavuatov.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shavuatov.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shavuatov.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2555"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.shavuatov.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2555\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2557,"href":"https:\/\/www.shavuatov.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2555\/revisions\/2557"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shavuatov.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2555"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shavuatov.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2555"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shavuatov.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2555"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}