Captain Lewis Dunk says Brighton are dreaming of Europa League glory after securing a spot in the knockout stages on a historic day for the club.
Albion guaranteed a top-two finish in Group B with a game to spare thanks to an unconvincing 1-0 victory away to 10-man AEK Athens.
Joao Pedro’s 55th-minute penalty proved the difference against the Greek champions as the Seagulls set aside a disjointed display to progress ahead of a final-round fixture at home to Marseille on December 14.
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) November 30, 2023
Defender Dunk is determined to finish in first place in the pool in order to advance directly to the last 16 and avoid a knockout round play-off against a team falling out of the Champions League.
“The next game, we’ve got to win, we’ve got to top the group,” he told Brighton’s website. “I think that’s massive, you miss a round out.
“That’s our next aim in this competition but who knows how far we can go?
“We want to win it and you’ve got to dream big to achieve it. We’re going to set our sights on reaching the final and winning it.”
🇧🇷 João Pedro 🔵
5 goals in 5 #UEL games 💪 pic.twitter.com/3qQgQ8hAqJ
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) November 30, 2023
Brighton, who are enjoying their maiden European adventure, were second best in the first half at AEK Arena and fortunate not to fall behind when Steven Zuber’s shot deflected off Dunk and struck a post.
The contest turned during a pivotal 10-minute second-half spell in which Pedro converted a VAR-awarded penalty after being fouled by AEK captain Damian Szymanski and Mijat Gacinovic was dismissed for a second booking.
Following back-to-back successes over four-time European champions Ajax, Albion jubilantly celebrated another famous win with the travelling fans.
England international Dunk, who made his senior debut when the Seagulls were a League One side, acknowledged the visitors were forced to dig deep.
“It’s massive,” the 32-year-old said of the result. “I think you can see in the celebration at the end what it means.
“It’s a historic day for the football club.
“We came into this tournament to qualify out of the group and we’ve done that tonight.
“It wasn’t the prettiest of our performances but sometimes you’ve got to win like that and it’s all credit to us.”
That win feels this good! 😍🤍 pic.twitter.com/e8T01zsSDH
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) November 30, 2023
Pedro’s successful spot-kick was his fifth goal in the competition and backed up his match-winning brace as a substitute in Saturday’s 3-2 Premier League victory at Nottingham Forest.
Dunk, whose right shoulder was taped up at full-time, was sent off at the City Ground and will miss Sunday’s trip to Chelsea due to suspension.
“(I’m) just nursing a few injuries but you just get on with them,” he replied when asked about the strapping.
“Frustrating not to be out there (at Stamford Bridge), it’s my fault and I’ve got to deal with that myself.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. VVD : Don't forget to buy the CB Only legends know the meaning of this.. Grown men doing the Gyokeres celebration whilst running down the street… Genius from this Liverpool fan England: Can you share with us Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: zhibo8, Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball)...
Rodygo's brutal stance on Tottenham transfer revealedTottenham Hotspur have expressed interest in signing Rodrygo Goes from Real Madrid, but the Brazilian winger reportedly has no intention of joining the Premier League side. While the Lilywhites have explored a possible move, the 24-year-old has his sights set on a 'bigger club than Tottenham' if he leaves the Santiago Bernabeu this summer follow...
Leicester are aiming to build a squad capable of making an immediate return to the Premier League for the 2026-27 season, and to do this, they may need to sign a new starting goalkeeper. Mads Hermansen has attracted strong interest from West Ham in recent weeks, and if he does depart, a replacement would be needed.If Hermansen does leave, Leicester will hope to secure a significant fee, which will...
Pep Guardiola has reiterated that he will take a break from coaching after leaving Manchester City, admitting it could be as long as 15 years.The Spaniard, 54, is the most successful manager in City's history, having won 18 trophies, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League.His contract expires in 2027 and while Guardiola has not specified when he will leave the club, he has on...
Benjamin Sesko is reportedly 'impressed' by Manchester United after being made aware of Ruben Amorim's long-term plans. A pursuit of a new centre-forward could lead the Red Devils towards making a formal approach for the RB Leipzig star.United will not be deterred in their search for a new No. 9 despite missing out on Liam Delap and Viktor Gyokeres. Amorim has already improved his forward line wit...
Chelsea accept Al Nassr offer for FelixChelsea have accepted an offer from Al Nassr for Joao Felix.The Portugal attacker is on his way to Saudi Arabia after Chelsea agreed a €30m fee with Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr.The deal includes a sell-on clause which will meet the original €50m Chelsea were demanding, says TMW.All parties are now in agreement and contracts are being drawn up.Fel...
Man Utd and Newcastle in talks with Sesko's management with offers expected very soonManchester United and Newcastle United are in talks with Benjamin Sesko's management this week as they prepare a bid for the striker.Leipzig are not expected to allow the 22-year-old to depart on the cheap, with between 360M and 380M reported to be their asking price this summer as they seek to sell the Slovenian ...
Roony scores on Barcelona debut in victory over Vissel KobeRoony Bardghji featured and scored on an unofficial debut for Barcelona today.Barca played a friendly against Vissel Kobe in a training match today, winning 3-1.Roony was a second-half substitute, along with fellow new arrival Marcus Rashford, and struck after good lead-up play from Robert Lewandowski.Eric Garcia gave Barca the lead in the...
Real Madrid drop asking price for Rodrygo after Liverpool sell Diaz to Bayern MunichLiverpool have gotten a transfer boost as Real Madrid have set a new asking price for Rodrygo this summer.Liverpool also continue to be linked with a blockbuster move for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak in a deal that would please fans but would not make a lot of sense on paper after the sale of Diaz to Bay...
Inter may drop Lookman chase as CEO eyes ‘crucial’ week Inter Milan may abandon their pursuit of Ademola Lookman as they await Atalanta’s response to their initial offer this week.The Serie A side submitted a new €45 million (339m/$42m) bid for the Nigeria international, according to Calciomercato, following the rejection of their initial offer.CEO Beppe Marotta described t...
- 1 Loris Karius lifts lid on relationship with Diletta Leotta
- 2 Jack Grealish shares sweet holiday snaps as girlfriend stuns in a yellow maxi dress
- 3 Man City make move for Jules Kounde
- 4 Enzo Fernandez agrees Real Madrid move
- 5 Man City to re-sign Trafford in $36M deal
- 6 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 7 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 8 Ex-Prem star 'drowned in pool hours before flight home for son's birthday'
- 9 Man City boss Guardiola delivers definitive answer to Barcelona return question
- 10 Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta provides injury update on Gabriel Magalhaes & Jurrien Timber after defensive pair sit out Gunners' pre-season win over AC Milan