Welbeck’s goal wasn’t enough as Brighton crashed out of Europe after a first-leg mauling

BRIGHTON may have been beaten in the Europa League but they won the battle for the banners.

Danny Welbeck’s 37th-minute rocket wasn’t enough to save the club’s debut season in Europe after they had a mountain to climb at 4-0 following a hellish first leg in Rome.

Danny Welbeck’s goal in the first half proved not to be enoughCredit: Getty

While trying to engineer an unlikely comebackCredit: PA

But they had the last laugh after unfurling a banner reading ‘Totti likes pineapple on pizza’, after Roma fans’ x-rated sign last week aimed at the late queen.

The Seagulls, who played in the third tier in 2011, can be proud of their glittering run, which has seen them record victories at Ajax and Athens, as well as beating Marseille at home to top their group.

After a quiet start, the first half became exciting at the Amex.

Brighton were very lucky when Sardar Azmoun’s breathtaking bicycle kick was disallowed after half an hour due to a high foot on Jan-Paul van Hecke.

The Roma bench went berserk when the goal was not scored and Daniele De Rossi was shown a yellow card for giving the fourth official an earful.

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The Brighton manager followed suit and was booked as tempers flared on the benches after Argy Bargy was on the pitch in the build-up to Pascal Gross’ free-kick.

The Seagulls needed a lift and it came in spectacular fashion when Pervis Estupinan delivered a beautiful pass to Welbeck, who curled a beauty into the top corner that goalkeeper Mile Svilar couldn’t reach.

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Brighton could still regret the missed opportunities in the matchCredit: PA

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There was a brief VAR check to see if Leonardo Spinazzola should be sent off for a foul on Tariq Lamptey, but the decision was no.

In the aftermath, Estupinan was pushed to the ground by Azmoun and they were both booked for their role in the resulting fight.

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After the break, Simon Adingra would have doubled the lead with a bullet header if Svilar had not made a brilliant save.

Van Hecke then also came close with back-to-back headers as the clock ticked – but it just wasn’t to be.