Both West Ham and Brighton picked up 1-0 away victories that clinched their place in the Europa League’s knockout stages on Thursday.
Joao Pedro’s penalty was enough to earn the Seagulls victory away at 10-man AEK Athens, while Tomas Soucek’s 89th-minute winner saw West Ham triumph against TSC in Backa Topola.
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Brighton need at least a draw against Marseille at the Amex Stadium on the final matchday to clinch top of Group B and avoid the play-off round, while a point for West Ham at home to Freiburg will see them through as group winners too.
David Moyes hopes his side can kick on and secure first place, telling reporters: “We’re thrilled at West Ham that we’re going to play in Europe after Christmas time for the third season.
“Even playing Freiburg in the last game to win the group is hugely important. Freiburg are a good side and we are going to have to play well.
What it means ????#UEL pic.twitter.com/Oe9oYERiiI
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) November 30, 2023
“But I’d have taken this at the start of the season, if you’d said we’ll finish second I’d have taken that.”
De Zerbi lauded a “historic” result for Brighton, telling TNT Sport: “I am really proud for the players first of all, for the fans, for the club, for the owner. It’s a historic day.
“Now we want to finish first place in the table. We could play two games less, which is important.”
