BRIGHT FUTURE

Seagulls secure Euro slot but it could be just start of something special

- MATTHEW DUNN

IT could be Rotterdam or anywhere for a beautiful south-coast team who have shown success can be achieved by doing things the right way.

Who knows it might be Turin in a phalanx of Mini Coopers after manager Roberto De Zerbi was credited with completing 'The Italian Job' as proclaimed by a giant banner swirling around the Amex.

One thing is for sure, after 122 years of playing right next to the English Channel - give or take two homeless seasons at Priestfield not so very long ago - Brighton are off to Europe.

One of their remaining games is against Manchester City.

But Brighton's 16-better goal difference courtesy of this win against their neighbours should still be plenty enough to make sure Europe means the Europa League rather than the Europa Conference.

Southampton, meanwhile, are left to pack for Plymouth and Preston. Around the inconvenience of these last two fixtures of Premier League football, Saints have been negotiating the release of Russell Martin (right).