FROM THE AMEX STADIUM – Brighton’s maiden Europa League campaign ended valiantly as they beat Roma on the south coast but exited the competition at the last 16 stage after a 4-1 defeat on aggregate.
The Seagulls had moments of momentum and Danny Welbeck got the home fans believing when he thundered one in from distance.
However, the hosts were unable to set up a grandstand finish as Roma protected their first leg advantage well enough to confirm their place in the quarter-finals, with the draw set to take place on Friday.
How the game unfolded
In their first ever home European knockout game, Brighton were faced with a four-goal deficit to overturn having limped to defeat in Italy’s capital last week. Their haste in possession was notable early on, forcing Mile Svilar into an early stop before Welbeck lifted Lewis Dunk’s nod across goal over the bar.
A tense opening relaxed somewhat when Gianluca Mancini clattered into Julio Enciso for the game’s first booking, though the visitors offered their hosts a scare when Sardar Azmoun collected a loose pass and fired just wide with Bart Verbruggen beaten all ends up.
Nice play down the right saw Pascal Gross collect the ball with a good opening to shoot, but the German’s piercing drive arrowed past the post before Azmoun improvised with a bicycle kick at the other end, only for the assistant referee to put his flag up for an earlier infringement.
A few more yellows cards were dished out before Brighton finally opened their account across the tie with a brilliant strike from distance.
Pervis Estupinan wriggled his way down the left before finding Welbeck on the edge of the box. The striker whipped an arching effort well beyond Svilar’s reach into the far corner, breathing fresh life into the Albion crowd as the home side found a quarter of the goals required to restore parity.
However, three unanswered strikes were still required in the second period at the AMEX, with no English side ever previously managing to progress from a European tie having suffered defeat by four goals or more in the first leg.
The lively Enciso’s last contribution before being hooked saw him tip-toe his way towards the area, though he eventually dragged his effort wide.
Roberto De Zerbi made four Albion substitutions before the hour mark and was so nearly rewarded with a second, but Simon Adingra directed his header straight at the sprawling Svilar when nailed on to score. Moments before, Leonardo Spinazzola had embarked on a mazy run which ended…
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