Tottenham officially kicked out of Europa League as Brighton beat Southampton
Saturday’s defeat by the same scoreline at home to Brentford had all but condemned Spurs to the Europa Conference League or a year without European football – and that was made official 24 hours later.
Spurs sit eighth in the table ahead of a final day trip to Leeds, who must win to have any hope of standing after losing to West Ham.
Host seven sixth as Brighton travel to Aston Villa, who are a point ahead of Tottenham and three ahead of the Seagulls, knowing the Conference League is their only route to Europe given Brighton’s significantly better goal difference .
It means Spurs’ 13-year streak of qualifying for European football is in serious jeopardy. Six of those years were spent in the Champions League, six in the Europa and one in the Conference League.
Brighton secured victory over already-relegated Southampton after Kaoru Mitoma and Carlos Alcaraz both squandered chances in a spirited start.
They took the lead in the 29th minute thanks to a powerful effort from Ferguson, who squirmed under Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.
A moment of individual brilliance from Mitoma doubled Brighton’s advantage 10 minutes later, as the Japan international passed Romeo Lavia on the left wing before setting up Ferguson with a precise cross with the outside of his boot.
Mohamed Elyounoussi pulled one back for Southampton in the 58th minute but any hope of a comeback was quickly snuffed out by Pascal Gross, who clipped his left foot inside and fired a low shot past two defenders inside the first post to conclude the victory. and qualification for Europe in the process.
Additional Reuters reporting.
Sports standard
