Brighton & Hove Albion fans celebrate Europa League win against Ajax

Monica Fletcher is a long-time Seagull fan and watches the team at the Amex regularly

Brighton and Hove Albion fans are celebrating after beating Dutch giants Ajax 2-0 at the Amex Stadium in their third Europa League fixture.

A good result was vital, after the Seagulls lost their opening match at home to AEK Athens, then secured a hard fought draw away to Marseilles.

"All those players in blue and white on the pitch - they played their socks off," said fan Mike Langridge.

Another Seagulls fan, Monica Fletcher, said the win put "Sussex on the map."

Thursday's victory means the club is still in with a chance of qualifying for the knockout stages, with the winning goals scored by Joao Pedro and Ansu Fati.

"We seemed more up for it. We seemed more composed. We seemed more direct. We just seemed like we wanted it more this time," Mr Langridge told BBC Radio Sussex.

Albion fans celebrated an "incredible" win after the match

Prior to the match, there was violence between rival fans at Brighton station, with British Transport Police confirming they were called to the scene at 18:32 BST, and asking for assistance from Sussex Police officers.

However, Ms Fletcher said "there wasn't a problem at the stadium".

Fans at the Amex said the Seagulls "played Ajax out of the park" and it was "the best game in years".

Martin Funnell from Littlehampton said he watched the match with his daughter, who has recently had an operation and was on crutches.

"We both had a few tears last night remembering my dad and other members of the family who couldn't be there with us," he said.

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