Julio Enciso’s beautiful leveller cemented Brighton’s place in subsequent season’s Europa League as Manchester Metropolis’s Premier League successful run was halted at 12 video games by an exciting 1-1 draw.
The 19-year-old Paraguay ahead unleashed a thunderous, swerving effort into the highest proper nook from 25 yards seven minutes earlier than the break to mathematically assure Albion a sixth-placed end.
Phil Foden put the newly-crowned champions forward on the Amex Stadium along with his fifth aim in as many begins in opposition to the Seagulls.
However, regardless of bringing again a number of huge names, Pep Guardiola noticed his formidable facet drop factors for the primary time since 18 February after Erling Haaland’s 79th-minute header was disallowed because of VAR recognizing a shirt pull on Levi Colwill.
Metropolis boss Guardiola was angered by that call and later proven a yellow card by referee Simon Hooper for his ongoing protestations.
Haaland had wasted two wonderful first-half probabilities, whereas Brighton’s Danny Welbeck rattled the crossbar from a free-kick and had a aim disallowed for offside, along with a Kaoru Mitoma effort being chalked off for handball.
The pulsating encounter was a becoming ultimate residence recreation of an unforgettable marketing campaign for the record-breaking Seagulls and banished the distant likelihood of them slipping into the Europa Convention League on the ultimate day at seventh-placed Aston Villa.
Metropolis got a guard of honour by their hosts, 4 days on from securing their fifth title success in six seasons due to second-placed Arsenal’s defeat at Nottingham Forest.
Guardiola introduced again Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne as a part of six adjustments from Sunday’s celebratory 1-0 win over Chelsea, whereas Brighton captain Lewis Dunk started on the bench simply hours after his England recall because of ongoing calf and again points.
Haaland – in search of so as to add to his 36 top-flight objectives – ought to have put Metropolis forward inside six minutes however wastefully headed over following Foden’s inviting supply from the left.
Guardiola hailed rival supervisor Roberto De Zerbi as probably the most influential managers of the final 20 years within the build-up to the conflict.
But Metropolis had been responsible of inflicting their very own issues within the opening exchanges with some dangerous passes out from the again.
The guests had been lucky to flee Brighton’s excessive press on a handful of events earlier than surviving within the twentieth minute when Welbeck’s thumping free-kick cannoned again off the bar.
Haaland then overran the ball and noticed it smothered by Seagulls goalkeeper Jason Steele after being slipped in by Foden earlier than making amends by aiding the Twenty fifth-minute opener.
Riyad Mahrez’s excellent by means of ball cut up Albion’s defence and Haaland raced clear to attract Steele and sq. for Foden, who slotted residence to proceed his wonderful scoring document in opposition to the Seagulls regardless of the perfect efforts of Jan Paul van Hecke on the road.
Whereas Metropolis lifted the Premier League trophy on the weekend, Brighton jubilantly celebrated securing continental soccer for the primary time by beating relegated Southampton 3-1.
And the Seagulls had been decided to lengthen the euphoria.
Mitoma noticed his bundled end dominated out and Facundo Buonanotte stung the palms of Stefan Ortega earlier than the eye-catching equaliser arrived.
Enciso collected the ball from Colwill halfway inside opposition territory and superior to spectacularly lash excessive into the web from distance, prompting applause from Metropolis followers behind the aim.
Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi
(Getty)
Former Manchester United ahead Welbeck then had a neat end disallowed for an offside earlier than Foden headed De Bruyne’s cross narrowly over on the finish of a breathless first half.
The frantic, end-to-end motion prolonged into the second interval, albeit probabilities had been largely at a premium.
Ilkay Gundogan flashed extensive and Cole Palmer examined Steele, whereas Pervis Estupinan’s highly effective drive flew marginally extensive of the left put up on the different finish.
Treble-chasing Metropolis thought that they had received it 11 minutes from time when Haaland discovered house to nod in a cross from substitute Palmer.
However, to the seen frustration of Guardiola, the close-range end was overturned on recommendation from Stockley Park.
Metropolis full their top-flight climax at Brentford earlier than transferring on to an FA Cup ultimate in opposition to rivals Manchester United and a Champions League showdown with Inter Milan in Istanbul.
