BRIGHTON showed they are fast finding their way in continental competition by easing past Ajax in front of 30,540 fans yesterday evening.

Goals from Joao Pedro and Ansu Fati helped the Seagulls to a first ever victory in a competitive European tournament. It was a comfortable triumph too.

Albion underlined they are quick learners by dispatching Ajax to third place in Europa League Group B, level on points with AEK Athens — and with a real chance of qualifying from this group should they continue their improved form.

Since their 3-2 home defeat to the Greek side in September, Roberto De Zerbi’s side rallied to earn a hard-fought point with their 2-2 draw in the bearpit that is the Stade Velodrome against Marseille in early October.

De Zebri said after the match: “It’s our first victory in Europe for Brighton. It’s a great day for our fans, for our club, for our owner, and we’re very proud to give them this experience.”

While the travelling support from the Netherlands, mostly clad in black but as quiet as dormice for the most part, may not be aware of Brighton’s rivalry with Crystal Palace that the home fans sang lustily about — along with that old rousing classic Sussex By The Sea — they were certainly aware of the quality the Seagulls possess in abundance.

This was showcased by Fati’s intelligent strike eight minutes into the second half to make the score 2-0, when, played in by Simon Adingra, the lively former Barcelona forward showed quick feet and a predator’s finish to slot past Ajax keeper Diant Ramaj.

The goal followed Pedro’s opener three minutes before the interval, when the 22-year-old Brazil-born former Watford forward fired a left-footed drive high into the net to make it 1-0.

While Ajax may have invented total football, De Zerbi’s team certainly paid homage to the ideal.

Their relentless commitment to a short, incisive, slide-rule passes, letting the ball do the work, even when under pressure, saw the Seagulls move the ball round their more illustrious visitors, which — allied with their excellent movement on and off the ball, and a spot of football courage in doing so — was an utter delight to watch.

Don’t forget this grand old club has lifted the Champions League four times across both its iterations and can boost Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten and Dennis Bergkamp among its illustrious former players.

Alas, Hedwiges Maduro’s Ajax are not a patch on their vintage sides of the past. It showed.

Maduro has taken over an ailing club who parted company with former boss Maurice Steijn earlier this week, after the fading European powerhouse won just two of their 12 games in all competitions this season and sit second-bottom in the Eredivisie.

On a memorable evening for all in Brighton colours on the rainy south coast — and for those who value progressive football — Ajax were swept imperiously aside.

The delighted home support vigorously waved their blue and white scarves at the final whistle in solidarity with their playing heroes who appreciated the warm applause given in recognition of their efforts.

No wonder the PA said after the game: “We can say we were there when Albion got the first of many European wins.”

The statement was said more in wonderment rather than in any bombastic hubris — bolstered by the knowledge that this worthy club were playing fourth tier football with a 150-mile round trip from their home city a mere decade ago.

European nights in Sussex? It could catch on, you know.