Brighton 2-3 AEK Athens: Player ratings - 5s for Barcelona loanee and Lewis Dunk replacement but shining light gets an 8 on anti-climatic Europa League night
Sam Morton
·5-min read
Joao Pedro scored twice from the penalty spot but Albion lost 3-2 against AEK Athens in the Europa League (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Joao Pedro scored twice from the penalty spot – levelling the score on both occasions – after Albion were undone by two set pieces.
There was a large Lewis Dunk shaped hole in the defence, with the captain missing out through injury.
For the first goal, no one was marking Djibril Sidibe on the edge of the box but it was a simply superb header and great spot from the corner taker.
No chance of saving the powerful header that opened the scoring. Crucial save at 1-0 from Garcia, who was one-on-one. Can't be blamed for the second goal. Did his best to stop the third goal to no avail. Otherwise, he wasn't troubled a great deal. (Photo: Eva Gilbert Photography)
Brighton were creating chances but Athens looked dangerous, with two big opportunities to make it 2-0. Brighton built up some momentum and were awarded a penalty, thanks to VAR, when Joao Pedro was tripped in the box.
The Brazilian forward stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to score Albion's first ever European goal.
But Athens were soon back in front after another set piece was turned in by Mijat Gacinovic. Dunk's absence was being felt – both his leadership and prowess at the back.
There was a long stoppage for an injury to Athens player Ehsan Hajsafi at the beginning of the second half, resulting in 13 minutes being added on at the end of the game.
First player to play for five different English clubs in major European competitions. Got forward well in early stages and found himself in front of goal but couldn't find a shot and pass was blocked. Some good defending against quick forwards. (Photo: Eva Gilbert Photography)
Albion won another penalty when Pedro was once again clearly fouled by Damian Szymanski but it needed a VAR check once more. Pedro completed the sequence of déjà vu, as he stepped up and, despite being made to wait a long time, made no mistake with another calm penalty.
Athens took the lead for the third time in the game, and it was another poor goal to concede, as a long ball over the top left the defenders in disarray and Ezequiel Ponce squeezed the ball past a helpless Jason Steele.
Albion searched for a third equaliser but ultimately fell short as their European debut ended in an anti-climax.
Clumsy foul which resulted in Brighton conceding the second goal. The Dutchman tried to get a foot on the cross but beaten to it. Made a vital sliding challenge at the end of the first half. Improved after the break and looked more composed. Booked (Photo: Alex Pantling / Getty Images)
Should have made it a dream debut with a goal but somehow missed the target with close range effort. Booked in second-half. Guilty of being slow to react to a couple of situations. Just lacking that commanding presence of Dunk. Needs time to adjust to the new team. (Photo: Mike Hewitt / Getty Images)
Bursting run forward in the opening minute and somehow not awarded a free kick after being pushed over. A dangerous cross caused panic in the box. Linked up nicely with Mitoma. Booked. A couple of sloppy passes (Photo: Eva Gilbert Photography)
Took captain's armband in Dunk's absence. Seen giving out orders in the midfield. A couple of misplaced pass out wide early and didn’t look his usual self. Lacked killer ball in forward areas this evening. Powerful shot saved (Photo: Eva Gilbert Photography)
Player of the match in the first half. Did well to keep hold of possession in pressurised situations. Was pulling the strings, with some lovely passing. One particular through ball played Ansu Fati in on goal. The Scotsman is a silky player and so good to watch. Some poor passes crept into his game in the second half. (Photo: Mike Hewitt / Getty Images)
Largely quiet game for the Barcelona loanee. Took up a playmaker role, linking up with Mitoma and Estupinan. One clumsy pass straight to Athens player. Had a good shot well saved in the second half. Excellent siding tackle to win the ball back start an attack. Needed to take a bit more time when given the ball. Missed chance to shoot after great pass by March (Photo: Eva Gilbert Photography)
Good pressing from the front. Superb skill to beat his man but cross too close to the keeper. Limited impact in the second half and was replaced late on (Photo: Eva Gilbert Photography)
Great to see him back from injury. Superb pass through to Milner for game's first real chance. Bucket loads of space out wide but unable to find a killer ball. Sometimes he could have pulled the trigger a bit quicker. Good interception. Did really well to beat his man and find Fati in front of goal in injury-time. Tame right footed shot from distance (Photo: Mike Hewitt / Getty Images)
Scored Brighton's first ever European goals with two coolly taken penalties which he won himself. Showed such composure in pressurised situations. Wrong booked for diving for the first one initially but VAR came to the rescue. Fouled again by same man and made no mistake from the spot once more. A hard working display and linked up nicely with his teammates. Was guilty of trying to be too clever and losing the ball once or twice. Should have squared to Mitoma when through on goal. (Photo: Mike Hewitt / Getty Images)
So dangerous when he puts the burners on. Had Athens players backing off. A completely different option to have at right-back. At fault for Athens' third goal - he fell to the floor after a mismatch header when he should have tracked the runner (Photo: Eva Gilbert Photography)
Unlucky with rebound header, couldn't have done more to keep it on target as ball came quickly at him. Booked (Photo: Eva Gilbert Photography)
All action display after this introduction. Couldn't direct a header on target from the back post. Superb shot from distance well saved. Gave ball away too cheaply (Photo: Eva Gilbert Photography)
Worked hard but couldn’t impact the game (Photo: Adam Hunger / Getty Images for Premier League)
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