Brighton were made to wait for their first Europa League victory.
2023/2024 UEFA Europa League
2-0
Match Report
After a loss and a draw from their opening two games, the Seagulls finally breathed life into their debut European campaign thanks to goals from Joao Pedro and Ansu Fati.
The landmark victory over the 36-time Dutch champions, though, was an expected one over managerless Ajax. The four-time European Cup winners have now won just two of their 12 games in all competitions this season and sit second-bottom in the Eredivisie.
Brighton took full advantage of Ajax's disarray as they largely controlled the game at the Amex Stadium and were rewarded for their dominance in the 42nd minute as Pedro rebounded home from Kaoru Mitoma's saved shot.
Roberto De Zerbi's side doubled their lead eight minutes into the second half when Fati coolly slotted home from Simon Adingra's clever pass.
Ajax had just one shot on target against Brighton, who were comfortable all evening leading ex-Seagulls striker Sam Baldock to remark on Sky Sports News: "I didn't recognise Ajax. European powerhouse? Whoever gets the manager's job has a big job on their hands. Brighton were at walking pace for most of the game."
The win over Group B's basement side puts Brighton level on points with second-place AEK Athens, who were defeated 3-1 at Marseille, with the French side topping the table by a point.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
5' Show from Mitoma
20' Milner's shot stopped by goalkeeper
22' Yellow Card! Kaoru Mitoma booked
26' João Pedro's shot over the bar
31' Yellow Card! Jan Paul van Hecke booked
42' GOAL! Brighton 1-0 Ajax (João Pedro)
53' GOAL! Brighton 2-0 Ajax (Fati)
55' CLOSE! Fati’s shot wide out
56' OFF THE POST!
84' Milner out,Dahoud in
Line-ups
Brighton XI: Milner, Steele, Gross, Veltman, Dunk, Kaoru Mitoma, Gilmour, Fati, Jan Paul van Hecke, João Pedro, Simon Adingra
Subs: Lallana, Webster, Dahoud, Igor, Tom McGill, Evan Ferguson, Bart Verbruggen, Facundo Buonanotte, Carlos Baleba, Jack Hinshelwood, Josh Duffus
Ajax XI: Berghuis, Borna Sosa, Bergwijn, Kenneth Taylor, Brian Brobbey, Josip Sutalo, Diant Ramaj, Benjamin Tahirovic, Carlos Forbs, Jorrel Hato, Anton Gaaei
Subs: Remko Pasveer, Branco van den Boomen, Chuba Akpom, Jakov Medic, Anass Salah-Eddine, Gastón Ávila, Kristian Hlynsson, Charlie Setford, Tristan Gooijer, Silvano Vos, Mika Godts