Bobbie Jackson, BBC Sport
A far from vintage performance from Brighton but one that did enough to deliver a place in the knockout phase of the Europa League.
The Seagulls have earned a reputation for playing some very attractive football under Roberto de Zerbi but sometimes, especially in Europe, it is about being pragmatic.
That’s exactly how Brighton approached Thursday’s trip to Greece, knowing that victory – in any fashion – would guarantee a top-two finish in Group B.
AEK Athens were unlucky not to take the lead in the first half when Steven Zuber struck the post.
Joao Pedro got the only goal of the game from the penalty spot, having been bundled over in the box by AEK captain Damian Szymanski, scoring his fifth goal in the Europa League and becoming the leading scorer in the competition.
AEK Athens’ night went from bad to worse 10 minutes later when Mijat Gacinovic was sent off after receiving a second yellow for a late challenge on Joel Veltman.
It was professional from that moment onwards for Brighton as they controlled possession to get over the line and into the next phase with a game to spare.
A remarkable feat for a club who were playing in League One as recently as 2011.