Match report as Brighton claimed a 2-0 win over Ajax in Amsterdam; Ansu Fati opened the scoring after 15 minutes before Simon Adingra made it two just after half-time; the Seagulls suffered a triple injury blow as James Milner, Lewis Dunk and Pervis Estupinan all limped off
Thursday 9 November 2023 23:00, UK
Ansu Fati and Simon Adingra got a goal and an assist each as a clinical Brighton side stunned Ajax 2-0 in Amsterdam to move into the qualification spots of their Europa League group for the first time.
The Seagulls soared to a famous victory against the four-time European champions as Fati swept home Adingra's clever ball after 14 minutes following an Ajax mistake, before the on-loan Barcelona attacker returned the favour eight minutes after half-time by setting up Brighton's second on the break for his fellow forward.
Ajax, who remain bottom of Group B, showed little in response despite Brian Brobbey hitting both posts from a fierce shot inside the box, but the victory came at a big cost for Brighton, who saw James Milner, Lewis Dunk and Pervis Estupinan limp off in three defensive injury blows.
But the good news for Roberto De Zerbi - other than the three points - was seeing his side record just their second clean sheet of the season in all competitions, the other coming in the return fixture against Ajax a fortnight ago.
Despite Fati's man-of-the-match display in Amsterdam, De Zerbi did not seem happy with Fati's deterioration after Brighton scored the second goal.
"I'm satisfied but I expect more and more, always," he told TNT Sports at full-time. "Ansu played very well the first half and the second half, but after the second goal, he could play better.
"He can't just be happy for the first goal and the assist, he has to want more."
Ajax started the game strongly but both of their first-half shots came in the first 15 minutes. Steven Berghuis cut inside from the right but could only find Bart Verburggen's midriff - the same could be said for Kristian Hlynsson's long-range drive minutes later.
Meanwhile, the first of two first-half defensive injuries for Brighton occurred when Milner went down shortly after the Berghuis effort and was replaced by Billy Gilmour just minutes in.
But Brighton then took the lead with their first shot on target - from a crucial Ajax mistake. Silvano Vos' slack square pass went straight to Adingra, who put Fati in on goal to sweep past the hosts' goalkeeper.
Ajax went in search of an equaliser but could only create half-hearted penalty appeals - two from Hlynsson for alleged handballs by Kaoru Mitoma, before Brobbey went down under Dunk's challenge. VAR waved all three claims away.
At the other end, Joao Pedro blazed over while Adingra's near-post effort was well kept out by Ajax goalkeeper Diant Ramaj.
More concerningly for Brighton, defender and captain Dunk pulled up with a groin injury while trying to play a pass and was replaced at half-time by Igor Julio.
Not that the Seagulls needed their skipper in the second period, though.
Brighton came out flying on the break with Pedro smashing an effort into the side-netting before they scored their second.
The duo who combined for the first goal swapped roles as Fati broke through the midfield to feed Adingra to the right of the box, and the winger arrowed a clinical effort into the far corner.
Brighton could have added a third as Fati wasted an effort inside the box after another Ajax error while playing out the back, before Mitoma blazed over after being played through by Pedro.
Ajax eventually woke up again with 15 minutes to go as Brobbey saw his fierce shot tipped onto the post by Verbruggen, roll across the goal line before striking the outside of the other post, while former Arsenal and Middlesbrough forward Chuba Akpom tested the Brighton goalkeeper with a rasping drive.
But, despite substitute Estupinan limping off just minutes into his return from injury, Brighton managed to hold on for the win and the clean sheet.
Sky Sports News' Elliot Cook at the Johan Cruyff Stadium:
"When Brighton signed Ansu Fati on a season-long loan from Barcelona, it raised eyebrows across the football landscape. Seen as something of a coup, Roberto De Zerbi said the Spain international needed to start enjoying his football again before getting back to the level he was at the start of his Barcelona career.
"Well, now the young forward is starting to have a party. He showed a real sharpness to score Brighton's opener with a low finish into the corner. Not finished there, he set up Simon Adingra with perfect decision-making for the second.
"Fati was one element of Brighton building dangerous counter-attacks. The Spain international combined well with Joao Pedro who celebrated his first call-up to the senior Brazil squad with a performance of panache and quick feet. Throw Simon Adingra into the mix and Ajax struggled to cope with the movement of the trio.
"What made Brighton's victory even more special was the adversity they had to overcome. They lost no less than three players due to injury in the 90 minutes: James Milner, captain Lewis Dunk and Pervis Estupinan. The Ecuador international was only just returning from injury but lasted less than 15 minutes after coming on as a substitute.
"De Zerbi played down the significance of the injuries in his post-match presser but the trio must be doubts for Sunday's Premier League game against Sheffield United.
"Another bright spot for Brighton was the performance of centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke. Solid and aggressive throughout and up against a tricky opponent in Bryan Brobbey, Van Hecke never put a foot wrong. Surely a senior cap for Netherlands beckons.
"Given the European pedigree of Ajax, this result will go down as one of the best in Brighton's 122-year history. Roberto De Zerbi's side have given themselves a decent chance of progressing from a tough group."
Brighton manager De Zerbi said he was concerned about the triple injury blow to Milner, Dunk and Estupinian - especially with a "important and crucial game" against Sheffield United to prepare for on Sunday.
"I'm very worried about the injuries but it's a problem we are finding in this moment," he told TNT Sports. "We have a lot of injuries, especially in the full-back position.
"We have to find anther solution."
Meanwhile, the Seagulls boss praised the role Joao Pedro had at Ajax - as well as the manner in which his team scored both goals.
"We have three top players - Ansu Fati, Joao Pedro and Evan Ferguson - we expect always a great job in the ball possession, the last 20 metres in scoring - but they are very young.
"Today, I am very happy for the performance of Joao. He fought for 90 minutes, he didn't score but played a great game.
"The first goal was important, because of our style. We won the ball with high pressure and scored with two passes.
"The second was incredible because we kept the ball on the side of the pitch I love. Then we found a player between the lines and it was a very nice goal."
Brighton's final fixture before the international break comes on Sunday as they host Sheffield United in the Premier League; kick-off 2pm. Their next Europa League fixture is on Thursday November 30 away to AEK Athens.
Ajax face Almere City FC in the Eredivisie on Sunday; kick-off 1.30pm. Their next Europa League fixture is on Thursday November 30 away to Marseille.
