AEK Athens 0 – 1 Brighton

Joao Pedro’s penalty earned Brighton a 1-0 win over 10-player AEK Athens and safe passage into the Europa League knockout stages in the Seagulls’ debut continental campaign.

Initially, Roberto de Zerbi’s side found their Greek test a tough one, as they were dominated in the first half and would have fallen behind had Bart Verbruggen not made some smart stops in goal, with Steven Zuber’s strike also hitting the post.

But Brighton struck against the run of play 10 minutes after half-time when Pedro was felled by Damian Szymanski, before the Brazilian stepped up to roll home his spot kick.

AEK’s ill-discipline continued as Mijat Gracinovic was shown a second yellow card for a lunge on Joel Veltman and that gave Brighton enough security to coast to victory.

The Seagulls know that victory at home to Marseille in the final group game will earn them top spot in Group B – which would see them skip the play-off round and move straight into the last-16 stage.

How Brighton improved to gain victory

Despite AEK Athens dominating the first half, it was Brighton who actually had the best chance of the game.

The returning Kaoru Mitoma fed Evan Ferguson down the Brighton left and the forward shot as he entered the box, drawing a save from AEK goalkeeper Cican Stankovic, before Domagoj Vida kept out Ferguson’s rebound with a superb block.

Simon Adingra then blasted over the bar a few minutes later, but the Greek hosts then grew into the game before taking control.

Orbelin Pineda blasted over before stinging Bart Verbruggen’s palms in the Brighton goal, with the Seagulls goalkeeper having to be equal to Zuber’s stinging drive from distance.

Pineda then put another effort wide before the hosts had their best chance of the first half on the stroke of half-time, when Zuber cracked a shot from a tight angle, which deflected off Lewis Dunk and onto the frame of the goal. Mijat Gacinovic then put the rebound over the bar.

AEK continued their onslaught of the Brighton goal after half-time with Pineda forcing Verbruggen into another good save – but the visitors then found their opener against the run of play.

Pedro went to ground under Symanski’s challenge in the box and after initially dismissing the claims, the referee stopped play moments later to go and check the monitor.

The spot kick was given and Pedro dispatched it, sending Stankovic the wrong way to send the 2,000 Brighton fans in the 20-degree Greek heat into delirium.

Then came another Brighton boost as Gracinovic fouled Veltman with a clear lunge in the Brighton penalty area and with the midfielder already on a booking, he was given his marching orders.

Brighton then tried to take control of the game with Billy Gilmour firing over from inside the box – before Ferguson had an even better chance to steal it.

The striker was played through for a one-on-one and had just Stankovic to beat. He tried to round the AEK goalkeeper but was denied by a solid glove from the stopper, with Adingra striking the side netting as the play developed.

That nearly proved pivotal for Brighton as, at the other end, Pineda flashed a good chance wide after being played into space in the box by Sergio Araujo. But that was the closest the Greek side came to parity.

What’s next?

Brighton visit Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday; kick-off 2pm. Sky Sports’ digital platforms is the first place to watch free match highlights of the game, which will arrive shortly after full-time.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side complete their Europa League group stage campaign at home to Marseille on Thursday December 14; kick off 8pm.