Seagulls plot the route to Europe

IT COULD be Rotterdam or anywhere for a beautiful South Coast team who have shown success can be achieved the right way. Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi was credited with completing “The Italian Job” in a giant banner around the Amex Stadium. And, after 122 years, Brighton are finally off to Europe. But De Zerbi warned: “Now is the crucial moment because we have to build a squad to improve. “To not lose this level we have to work hard in this transfer session and organise better, because the victory can be dangerous.” Southampton, on the other hand, are packing for Plymouth and Preston.

Saints have been negotiating the release of Russell Martin, right, from Swansea after he verbally agreed to be the manager who tries to get them back up again next season.

Brighton-born Martin, 37, will have his work cut out. Having gone two down yesterday, Saints revived briefly.

Mohamed Elyounoussi flicked home JamesWard-Prowse’s corner shortly after half-time.Theo Walcott thought he had equalised, only for VAR to show he had broken the offside trap too soon. Brighton went back upfield and, from a corner, Pascal Gross drilled a low shot inside the near post. Evan Ferguson, 18, left, had put the Seagulls ahead, coolly drilling home a 29th-minute shot.

The teenager then sidefooted his second after another fine counter-attack. This could be the start of something special for Brighton.

BRIGHTON (4-2-3-1): Steele 6; Veltman 6 (Undav 74), Dunk 7, Colwill 7 (Van Hecke 89), Estupinan 6; Gross 7, Caicedo 7; Enciso 5 (Buonanotte 46, 6), Mac Allister 8, Mitoma 7 (Gilmour 89); Ferguson 9 (Welbeck 65, 6).

Goals: Ferguson 29, 40, Gross 69.

SOUTHAMPTON (4-5-1): McCarthy 6; Bree 6, Bednarek 7, Lyanco 7, Walker-Peters 6; Walcott 6 (Livramento 77), Ward-Prowse 7, Lavia 6 (Doyle 84), Alcaraz 5 (S Armstrong 71), Elyounoussi 5 (Sulemana 71); Aribo 5 (Ballard 70). Goal: Elyounoussi 58.