Match report and highlights as Brighton cap a sensational season by securing European qualification with win over relegated Saints; Roberto De Zerbi's side are all-but guaranteed a Europa League spot with two games left
Brighton secured qualification for European football for the first time in their history with a 3-1 win over Southampton.
A win, due to their superior goal difference, means they are all but set to finish in the Premier League top six which guarantees Europa League qualification. Aston Villa would need to beat them on the final day and benefit from a 16-goal swing to overtake them. To mathematically secure their place, Brighton need just one point from their remaining games with Manchester City and Villa.
Evan Ferguson put them on their way with a first-half double before Pascal Gross wrapped up the points after already-relegated Southampton threatened a comeback when Mohamed Elyounoussi scored and Theo Walcott had a goal ruled out for offside which would have made it 2-2.
Exactly 40 years since their only major final appearance in the FA Cup when defeated by Manchester United, this was a historic day for a football club that avoided relegation from the football league on the final day of the 96/97 season with a 1-1 draw that sent Hereford down on goal difference. Their rise has been astronomical under the ownership of Tony Bloom.
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