Brighton secure European football as Evan Ferguson becomes Premier League’s top scoring teen

Evan Ferguson’s breakout season keeps getting better as the Brighton youngster starred in their 3-1 win over Southampton.

Ferguson scored twice in the first half on their way to a convincing victory, that confirmed they will play European football next season.

Mohamed Elyounoussi got one back for the Saints before Pascal Gross restored their two-goal advantage and sealed a place in either the Europa League or Europa Conference League.

The goals for Ferguson were his fifth and sixth in the Premier League, which were significant.

After Kaoru Mitoma clipped the post, Ferguson scored his first when he fired low past Alex McCarthy in the 29th minute.

Ferguson’s brilliant afternoon continued when he scored his second and made it 2-0 after 40 minutes.

Mitoma provided the assist from the left to set up the 18-year-old, who finished well.

It meant that he is unlikely to be overtaken as the top scoring teenager in the league this season.

He was already one ahead of Manchester United starlet Alejandro Garnacho and teammate Julio Enciso, who both have three.

The double means that he will likely keep that record with just one game of the 2022/23 season to go.

Ferguson has been linked as a potential target for Manchester United in the summer, but they may find it difficult to prise him away from the south coast side.

In April, he signed a new long-term contract with Brighton to keep him at the club until 2028.