BREAKING: AEK Athens Defeat #Brighton On Europa League Debut – #UEL—Brighton’s much-anticipated debut in the Europa League did not go to plan as they were beaten 3-2 at home by AEK Athens in a thrilling contest on Thursday night.
Liverpool and West Ham picked up wins in their group stage openers, although both needed to come from behind against their unfancied competition.
Meanwhile in the Europa Conference League, Aston Villa were left disappointed by their start to the campaign, losing 3-2 at Legia Warsaw.
It was a dramatic evening for all four Premier League sides, but the Seagulls’ defeat to the Greek side was perhaps the most eventful and most surprising result.
Former Everton defender Djibril Sidibe opened the scoring for the Greek side with a superb header just 11 minutes in, to stun the Amex where there was so much expectation for Roberto De Zerbi’s men.
Joao Pedro equalised from the penalty spot half an hour in, after initially being booked for a dive by the Estonian referee, before the decision was overturned thanks to VAR.
Mijat Gacinovic put the Greek champions back ahead and there was a repeat of the first half drama as Pedro was again denied a penalty. before VAR overturned the decision and the same man scored from the spot.
Brighton looked by far the most likely to get a winner but it was Ezequiel Ponce who pounced on the break to stun the Premier League side and take three points.
It is a bit of a nightmare start for De Zerbi’s men who are in a tricky group alongside Ajax and Marseille, who drew in Amsterdam on Thursday.
