SEAGULLS ARE KEPT IN CHECK

BRIGHTON 1 ROMA 0 AGG: 1-4 EUROPA LEAGUE ROUND OF 16

DANNY WELBECK produced a final highlight of Brighton’s first European campaign but there was to be no miracle comeback against canny Roma.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side suffered a humbling 4-0 defeat in the Italian capital in the first leg.

And even without the injured Romelu Lukaku, the Serie A side showed why they have reached European finals in the last two seasons in a niggly match full of stoppages and injuries.

The Italians took five yellow cards and were happy to concede just one goal.

Former Arsenal striker Welbeck scored his first European goal since October 2018 when he curled a superb shot into the top corner from the edge of the box after 37 minutes.

But that was as good as it got on a rainy night on the South Coast. After trips to Marseille, Amsterdam, Athens and Rome in this competition, Brighton’s next game is at Anfield on Easter Sunday.

Brighton have 10 games left to climb up from eighth place and qualify for European football again next season. Whether the ambitious De Zerbi remains at the Amex Stadium after this summer also has to be decided.

Brighton had needed an early goal to gain momentum – but Roma found the net first.

Iran striker Sardar Azmoun’s overhead kick after 22 minutes flew home but the effort was disallowed for a high boot.

Roma boss Daniele De Rossi was booked for his protests and De Zerbi joined him later after a melee on the edge of the visitors’ box.

Roma posed a threat on the counterattack and leftback Leonardo Spinazzola hit the woodwork after the break.

De Zerbi brought on Evan Ferguson and switched to a back three.

But Serb keeper Mile Svilar saved Simon Adingra’s header and tipped over Ansu Fati’s long-range shot in injury-time.

Roma have only ever won one away game in England in 23 attempts a 1-0 victory at Anfield in the UEFA Cup in 2001 when Liverpool went on to win the trophy. BRIGHTON: Verbruggen 6; Lamptey 6 (Ferguson 61, 5), Van Hecke 7, Dunk 6, Estupinan 6 (Igor 61, 5); Gilmour 5 (Baleba 85, 5), Gross 6; Adingra 7, Lallana 7 (Buonanotte 53, 6), Enciso 6 (Fati 53, 6), Welbeck 7

ROMA: Svilar 6; Celik 5, Ndika 6, Mancini 6, Spinazzola 7; Pellegrini 7, Bove 6, Cristante 6; Baldanzi 6 (Aouar 83, 5), Azmoun 6 (Costa 90, 5), Zalewski 7 (Llorente 73, 5)