Ft7Ball
Saturday’s defeat by the same score at home to Brentford had all but condemned Spurs to the Europa Conference League or a year without European football – and that was not made official until 24 hours later.
Spurs are eighth in the table for a final day trip to Leeds, who must win to have any hope of staying afloat after losing to West Ham.
Seventh host sixth as Brighton travel to Aston Villa, who are one point ahead of Tottenham and three behind the Seagulls, knowing the Conference League is their only path to Europe given Brighton’s significantly better goal difference.
It means Spurs’ 13-year streak of qualifying for European football is under serious threat. Six of those years have been spent in the Champions League, alongside six in Europe and one in the Conference League.
Brighton claimed victory over already relegated Southampton after Kaoru Mitoma and Carlos Alcaraz lost both chances in a lively start.
They took the lead in the 29th minute through a powerful effort from Ferguson, who squirmed under Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.
A moment of individual brilliance from Mitoma doubled Brighton’s lead 10 minutes later, as Japan international Romeo outmaneuvered Lavia on the left wing before setting Ferguson up with a precise cross with the outside of his boot.
Mohamed Elyounoussi pulled one back for Southampton in the 58th minute, but any hopes of a comeback were quickly dashed by Pascal Gross, who cut in on his left foot and fired a low shot past two defenders into the near post to take the win finalize. and qualification for Europe in the process.
Additional coverage by Reuters.
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