It was a great night of European football as Brighton secured their first European win in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League. Liverpool confirmed their dominance with a five star performance and newshawkng.com is here to tell you all about it.
Brighton 2 – 0 Ajax
At the third time of asking, Brighton have a first European win. Pedro tapped in the opener for Brighton before an Ansu Fati strike.
The loanee from Barcelona expressed happiness at the achievement. He was also happy he was able to contribute.
“First win for Brighton in Europe, very very happy. Great performance from the team, ” Fati told TNT Sports.
On his goal: “I moved into space and he [Simon Adingra] gave me the ball and I shot. Very happy to score my first goal in this stadium and we go for more.”
Brighton have earned their first clean sheet of the season in all competitions. It is their first in 17 games in total, since a 3-0 victory against Arsenal in the Premier League in May.
They now have four points, the same as second-placed AEK Athens and one less than Marseille in top spot.
They go to Ajax next with their hopes of qualifying hugely increased.
Liverpool 5 – 1 Toulouse
A five-star Liverpool performance bursting with positives. Jota slots in opener but Dallinga levels before Endo, Nunez, Gravenberch and Salah score.
Ryan Gravenberch was superb, Wataru Endo got his first Reds goal and a night to remember for youngsters Luke Chambers, Callum Scanlon and James McConnell.
The last time Toulouse visited Anfield they were sent packing after a thumping 4-0 defeat in a Champions League qualifier in 2007.
Dirk Kuyt scored twice that night while Peter Crouch and Sami Hyypia were also on target.
Speaking on Ryan Gravenberch’s contributions, coach Jurgen Klopp express confidence in the player’s abilities.
“He’s a good player. I’m so happy for him that he starts really enjoying his football again. His first touch is incredible, his acceleration with the ball. He’s not even half way there. The good thing is that he has a lot of things to improve.”
Olympiakos 2 – 1 West Ham
West Ham’s 17-game unbeaten run in Europe comes to an end with help from Olympiakos. Kostas Fortounis put the Greeks ahead at 33 minutes before Rodinei made it two at the stroke of half time. Lucas Paqueta pulls a goal back late on but it was not enough for the Hammers.
This result breathes renewed life into Group A. West Ham stay on six points – the same number Freiburg now have. Olympiakos move to four.
AZ Alkmaar 1 – 4 Aston Villa
Aston Villa were clinical in front of goal as they hammered their host 4-1. Leon Bailey, Youri Tielemans, Ollie Watkins and John McGinn were all on target. Five attempts at goal, four different goal scorers attest to Villa’s attacking prowess.
A lovely finish by Ibrahim Sadiq across the keeper pulled one back for AZ Alkmaar.
Unai Emery may have had a blip in his CV following his experience at Arsenal, but you can’t deny the guy knows what he’s doing, especially in European football.
He has dragged Villa up from relegation candidates to a top 6 side. Wouldn’t bet against him lifting another piece of European silverware this season.
