That's all from the Amex Stadium today, so thank you for joining us and goodbye!
AEK's busy schedule continues next Monday, as after holding Olympiacos to a draw last week and now beating Brighton in England, they must tackle local rivals Panathinaikos. Almeyda's men will host Ajax next month in their second Group B fixture, while Brighton visit Marseille at Stade Velodrome.
An action-packed match concludes with Brighton's long-awaited European debut ending in defeat, as AEK Athens stave off a late siege to hold on to a lead at the third time of asking. The Greek champions were twice hauled back to parity by Pedro penalties, but Ponce struck a third in the 84th minute and that proved enough to seal victory in their Europa League opener. A 3-2 home loss sees the hosts sitting bottom of Group B following a draw between Ajax and Marseille in today's other game, but five matchdays still remain to turn things around.
90' + 14' FULL-TIME: BRIGHTON 2-3 AEK ATHENS
90' + 12' AEK are being pinned back deep inside their defensive third now, as Brighton lay siege to the visitors' goal in pursuit of a third equaliser. Time is running out, though, as Van Hecke's back-post header strikes Igor and is then hurriedly hacked away.
M. Mohammadi
Yellow Card
90' + 10' Stopping March from restarting play near the touchline earns Mohammadi a yellow card. It's been a very busy outing for the referee.
P. Mantalos
Yellow Card
90' + 8' For time-wasting over a free-kick, Mantalos is booked; taking the total of yellow cards issued today into double figures.
90' + 7' March cuts inside Jonsson and then lines up a shot from 20 yards; however, he steers the ball far over the crossbar and into the stand behind Stankovic's goal.
90' + 5' CLOSE! First, Gross has a stinging shot saved by Stankovic, then Welbeck sends a looping header over the crossbar on the follow-up! Brighton are getting closer to a late leveller!
D. Welbeck
Yellow Card
90' + 3' A foul on Zuber results in Welbeck joining the long list of players to see yellow flashed in their general direction today.
90' + 2' GOOD STOP! Stankovic is called into action again, as Adingra picks the ball up on the left side of the box and curls in a shot towards the top of the goal. The busy AEK goalkeeper tips it away for a corner!
90' + 1' Due to a long stoppage for Hajisafi's head injury, some 13 minutes have been added to the end of this eventful second half. Will there be more goals during all that addtional time?
88' Just as Adingra seems set to nod home a hanging Gross cross at the back post, Sidibe leans on his opponent and the substitute can only send the ball behind for a goal-kick. That's cute defending from the Frenchman, and that could prove enough to preserve all three points for his team.
F. Buonanotte
B. Gilmour
86' Gilmour is also sacrificed, with Buonanotte offering a more attacking option as Brighton seek another equaliser.
S. Adingra
K. Mitoma
86' De Zerbi's last throw of the dice: Mitoma withdrawn for Adingra as part of a double change.
E. Ponce
Goal
84' AEK GO BACK IN FRONT! For the third time, the Greek champions take the lead in this see-saw affair at the Amex! Amrabat's hopeful pass forward is flicked on and then Eliasson picks out fellow substitute Ponce; the latter slots the ball past Steele to make it 3-2!
82' SAVE! A venomous strike from 25 yards sees Gross test Stankovic with a dipping free-kick! The AEK goalkeeper opts to punch the ball away rather than catch it, but that's sufficient to avert the immediate danger.
D. Welbeck
João Pedro
82' Shortly after missing out on a potential third goal of the game, Pedro is taken off by De Zerbi. The experienced Welbeck comes on, having scored against former club Manchester United last weekend.
P. Mantalos
O. Pineda
79' Mantalos is also sent on; Pineda is withdrawn.
N. Eliasson
M. Gaćinović
79' AEK make a double change, sending on more fresh legs: first, Gacinovic is replaced by Eliasson.
78' SAVE! Closing down the angle at his near post, Stankovic uses his body to block out a close-range drive by Pedro, who spurns a great chance to net a match-winning hat-trick! It's good goalkeeping, but he really should have scored!
77' Substitute Zuber steps up to a centrally placed free-kick, taken from just over 20 yards out, and curls the ball well wide of the left-hand post.
J. van Hecke
Yellow Card
76' A lunging hack on Ponce sees Van Hecke join the horde of names in the referee's crammed notebook.
74' AEK's focus has now shifted to sitting back and preserving a point. This would still represent a good result for the Greek Super League side, despite losing a lead twice.
M. Gaćinović
Yellow Card
72' Having failed to give the ball back to Lamptey for a throw-in, Gacinovic is rather harshly booked - perhaps it was considered to be time-wasting.
70' The Brighton fans are back in full voice now, and they are in uproar as Lamptey is bundled over by a rugged challenge from Mohammadi. No free-kick is awarded, though.
E. Ponce
Yellow Card
69' Just after coming on, Ponce is shown a yellow card for a reckless foul.
S. Zuber
S. Araújo
68' Araujo also comes off, with Swiss international Zuber sent on to replace him.
E. Ponce
L. García
68' Almeyda responds to Brighton's goal by taking off Garcia and sending on Ponce up front.
Penalty Goal
67' BRIGHTON EQUALISE AGAIN! Once more from the spot, the hosts haul themselves level! Pedro steps up again, and this time he rolls the ball confidently into the bottom-right side of the net, bringing the scores level at 2-2! Game on!
D. Szymański
Yellow Card
67' Szymanski follows his centre-back partner into the referee's notebook, following his foul on Pedro.
P. Estupiñán
Yellow Card
66' Another booking is issued by a referee seemingly losing control of this game now: Estupinan is shown yellow.
G. Mitoglou
Yellow Card
66' For dissent, after Brighton are awarded a second penalty, Mitoglou becomes the latest man booked by the referee.
65' ANOTHER BRIGHTON PENALTY! The referee is again told by the VAR to review a foul on Pedro in the penalty box! Szymanski tried to win the ball but only ended up clipping his opponent, so a spot-kick is eventually awarded!
64' Suddenly alone in space, Garcia races through on to a loose ball, but his attempted lob from the edge of the box is guided well off-target.
63' Under no real pressure, Gilmour's slack pass to Lamptey sends the ball straight out of play, but Brighton soon win possession back and try to build up from the back.
M. Mohammadi
E. Hajisafi
60' The stricken Hajisafi is finally taken off the pitch on a stretcher, with his compatriot Mohammadi sent on to replace him.
59' A number of people are assisting AEK's medical staff to lift Hajisafi onto the stretcher, as the action remains halted - there will be plenty of stoppage time at the end of this game.
57' Hajisafi remains down on the rain-soaked turf on England's south coast, and a stretcher has been sent out to help him off the pitch. The Iran international will not be taking any further part in this game, and his manager Almeyda looks on from the touchline with some concern.
T. Lamptey
J. Milner
55' After discussing things with Brighton's medical staff, Milner decides he cannot continue; Lamptey comes on to replace him at right-back.
54' The game is paused while Hajisafi receives treatment for a blow to the head, and Milner also is assessed by the medics.
52' Brighton make a real mess of their free-kick, as Gross lays the ball off to March, who then dwells in possession and is forced towards the far touchline before settling for a consolation corner.
51' Hajisafi clumsily fells March around 25 yards out from goal, gifting Brighton a good chance to strike at goal from the subsequent set-piece.
49' Another AEK set-piece puts Brighton on the back foot, but after Gilmour scuffs his clearance, the hosts then manage to scramble the ball away to relative safety.
D. Sidibé
Yellow Card
47' Apparently for dissent, Sidibe is shown a yellow card by the referee.
Igor Julio
Yellow Card
47' Cynically ending a direct Garcia run, Igor hauls back his opponent midway through Brighton's half and receives a booking.
46' AEK Athens kick off, and we are back under way at the Amex!
Today's other match in Group B, between Ajax and Marseille, is finely poised at 2-2 heading into the second half. There have been plenty of goals on the opening matchday so far, but can Brighton find a couple more to come from behind and win on their European debut?
Brighton's first half of European football ends with the home side 2-1 behind to the reigning Greek champions, AEK Athens. The Seagulls' customary dominance of the ball has been present today, but their final-third play is yet to find any rhythm - and two defensive lapses have proved costly. Joao Pedro may have pulled them level from the spot, but AEK have twice pounced from set-pieces, fully exploiting their hosts' apparent weakness in that regard.
45' + 3' HALF-TIME: BRIGHTON 1-2 AEK ATHENS
45' + 1' In the first minute of at least three added for stoppages, Mitoma's wayward cross trundles into the waiting gloves of Stankovic, who fields the ball comfortably inside his six-yard box.
44' Another set-piece threatens Brighton's goal, as Garcia just fails to make clean contact on an inswinging corner from the right by Amrabat.
42' What a blow for Brighton shortly before the break! De Zerbi is clearly infuriated with his defence for allowing AEK to strike again - the highly rated tactician may need a half-time rethink.
L. García
Assist
40' Garcia delivers a dangerous cross into the box from a free-kick and sets up AEK's second goal.
M. Gaćinović
Goal
40' AEK BACK IN FRONT! Lunging in to meet Garcia's free-kick from the left, Gacinovic steers the ball past Steele from close range and puts the visitors into a 2-1 lead! Brighton failed to defend the set-piece and were punished!
38' Brighton's intensity has dipped just a touch, after AEK weathered a storm following Pedro's penalty-kick equaliser. For the first time, really, the home crowd are a little quieter.
36' Hajisafi has suffered a knock and is helped to limp off the pitch by AEK's medics, and the action resumes as the Iranian full-back reaches the touchline.
34' Mitoglou does well to cover space behind Sidibe, and his sliding challenge on Mitoma near the byline also avoids conceding a corner. The visitors have defended fairly well today, but they would welcome keeping the scoreline level until half-time.
32' Gross sends in a dangerous free-kick from the left, but Sidibe heads it clear at the near post, and another spell of Brighton pressure is relieved. AEK are on the back foot now.
João Pedro
Penalty Goal
30' BRIGHTON LEVEL! Picking out the bottom-left corner with a perfectly executed spot-kick, Pedro converts the penalty he won moments ago! Having been booked in the first place, he then has his yellow card withdrawn, before stepping up and beating Stankovic. That's Brighton's first European goal: 1-1 at the Amex!
29' PENALTY AWARDED! Changing his mind entirely, the on-field referee rescinds Pedro's yellow card and instead points straight to the spot!
29' PENALTY FOR BRIGHTON? Although the referee initially books Pedro for simulation, the VAR does not agree: Hajisafi seemed to trip the Brazilian forward in the box! A pitchside review is taking place.
26' Szymanski stays down on the turf following a challenge from Fati, but after a brief delay the action resumes with a Stankovic free-kick upfield.
24' DOUBLE CHANCE! First, Stankovic drops down to his left and repels a low drive from Fati, who had received the ball from Milner just inside the area. Then, Igor leaps high but heads narrowly wide moments later!
22' MISS! After sprinting past a sluggish Igor midway through Brighton's half, Garcia spurns a good chance to double AEK's lead when he prods his shot well wide of the right-hand post!
20' Taking up an advanced position on the right flank, Milner is heavily involved as Brighton push forward in search of an equaliser, but AEK are defending steadfastly so far, despite their makeshift central defence.
18' Mitoma wins a corner on the left, which Gross swings into the area. However, Szymanski does just enough to deny Van Hecke a clean header at the back post and concedes another corner-kick.
15' Although they trail on the scoreboard, Brighton have had no less than 69.5 per cent of possession over the opening 15 minutes of this Europa League clash.
13' AEK are now more confident on the ball, buoyed by their breakthrough against the run of play. Brighton were not expecting to suffer such an early blow, so how they now respond will be interesting.
E. Hajisafi
Assist
11' An outswinging corner from the left by Hajisafi picks out Sidibe, who heads the ball home for AEK's opener.
D. Sidibé
Goal
11' AEK ATHENS LEAD! Meeting Hajisafi's corner from the left with a powerful diving header near the penalty spot, Sidibe sends the visitors into an early 1-0 lead! Steele is left helpless as the ball flies past him and into the back of the net! It's a great start to Group B for the Greek champions!
10' Brighton are bossing the ball in customary style, but a rare lapse then allows Gaciniovic to break through and requires Milner to block behind for an AEK corner.
8' Mitoma lays the ball off to Estupinan on the edge of the area, but the latter's attempt is quickly charged down by Sidibe and AEK manage to clear away to safety.
6' Milner gets to the right byline and latches onto a lovely throughball by March, but Stankovic then claims the veteran's cross inside the six-yard box after a heavy deflection sends it looping up into the air.
4' Szymanski is given a stern talking-to by the referee after clipping Fati in midfield, and a free-kick is awarded to Brighton.
2' Clad in their traditional yellow-and-black jerseys, AEK have made a positive start to the game, as they attempt to impose themselves on in-form opponents.
1' The hosts kick off, and we are under way at the Amex!
The players are out on the pitch in Brighton, and kick-off in this Group B clash is now just moments away!
As Domagoj Vida was forced off at half-time of AEK's league game against Olympiacos last week, and Harold Moukoudi misses out due to illness, Damian Szymanski and Gerasimos Mitoglou will hold the fort in central defence today. Levi Garcia has overcome his fitness struggle to start up front, though, partnering captain Sergio Araujo.
Brighton captain Lewis Dunk has been ruled out by injury, so former Fiorentina centre-back Igor steps into the home side's back four today, with Luke Steele selected behind him in goal. Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati is handed a first start for the club, but teenage striker Evan Ferguson misses out because of illness, having only recently returned from injury; Joao Pedro therefore gets the nod from De Zerbi up front.
SUBS: Bart Verbruggen, Thomas McGill, Tariq Lamptey, Adam Webster, Mahmoud Dahoud, Adam Lallana, Danny Welbeck, Carlos Baleba, Simon Adingra, Joel Veltman, Facundo Buonanotte, Jack Hinshelwood.
BRIGHTON (4-3-2-1): Jason Steele; James Milner, Igor Julio, Jan Paul van Hecke, Pervis Estupinan; Solly March, Billy Gilmour, Kaoru Mitoma; Ansu Fati, Pascal Gross; Joao Pedro.
After winning the Greek Super League last season, pipping Panathinaikos to top spot and a 13th domestic title, AEK Athens entered the third round of Champions League qualifying last month. Although they initially edged past Dinamo Zagreb, AEK fell to Belgian champions Royal Antwerp in the playoff round; now they embark on a group-stage campaign in the Europa League. Matias Almeyda's men, who also lifted the Greek Cup last term, sit sixth in the league following a 1-1 draw with Olympiacos last weekend.
Kicking off their first-ever European campaign today, Brighton will take part in Europa League Group B, which also features traditional heavyweights Ajax and Marseille. Having qualified for UEFA's second-tier club competition thanks to last season's sixth-placed Premier League finish, the Seagulls have picked up where they left off this term. Roberto De Zerbi's free-scoring side went into the recent international break with nine points from four matches, then impressed by beating Manchester United 3-1 last weekend.
Hello and welcome to live coverage of today's Europa League clash between Brighton and AEK Athens at the Amex Stadium!
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