Brighton seal historic European spot as Ferguson double sinks Southampton

Due to the curvature of the earth, it is not quite possible to see the French coast from Brighton beach, but no matter. First-hand experience of the continent will soon be in plentiful supply for the denizens of Sussex by the Sea, after the Seagulls deservedly confirmed European football for next season.

A brace from the frighteningly prodigious Evan Ferguson and another goal from Pascal Gross gave Roberto De Zerbi’s side an ultimately comfortable victory over Southampton, who will only be visiting Ipswich next term. The performance was not vintage, and there were nervous periods throughout, not least when Theo Walcott briefly seemed to have equalised, but in the presence of veterans from the 1983 FA Cup final, Brighton wrote a new chapter in their history.

Ferguson was the lead player in the drama and what made the teenager’s first-half intervention all the more striking was that Brighton needed it. The first 25 minutes had been relatively even. Southampton, if not exactly at the races, were at least familiar with the form and had adopted a game plan that looked to force Brighton’s punching passing style out wide. It worked to relative effect, while the hosts had two clear early chances – both falling to Kaoru Mitoma – they were the result of Southampton errors, rather than Brighton’s good play.

The visitors could even – and probably should – have taken the lead themselves in the 17th minute. Sloppy play from first Levi Colwill then Moisés Caicedo twice coughed up possession and Carlos Alcaraz set off a speedy counter which ended with Walcott teeing up the Argentinian in the penalty area for a shot that he could only slice wide.

Atmosphere in the Amex, which had been uncertain from the off, had started to turn tetchy