Roberto De Zerbi congratulated his Brighton players in the dressing room for their performance despite losing 3-2 to AEK Athens on their European debut. Despite dominating the ball and dictating the shape of the game in wet and difficult conditions at the Amex Stadium, Brighton were undone by an AEK side who made the best of what little they created and were clinical when their moments came. First, the right-back Djibril Sidibe dashed into the box unmarked at a corner and flew into a superb diving header that nestled in the corner. It was a lead they twice should have doubled when striker Levi Garcia went through on goal, first denied by goalkeeper Jason Steele then sliding the ball beyond the post as two glorious chances were wasted. Brighton hit back through a penalty from Joao Pedro after a VAR check, the same means by which they levelled for a second time after the break. In between, Mijat Gacinovic had restored AEK’s lead, sliding in at a free-kick to finish from near the penalty spot. Brighton were missing the injured Lewis Dunk in defence and his absence was felt again when substitute Ezequiel Ponce was given space on the counter-attack to win it for the Greek champions late on. “We conceded three goals,” said De Zerbi. “Two goals in set pieces and one incredible goal, the third. We made some mistakes in the (final third) of the pitch, for example the chance of Joao Pedro in the second half, or the chance for Igor in the first half. But in terms of quality of play we played a very good game, I think. “I’m really proud for the performance. I think we showed not the right experience, or maybe not the same experience as AEK Athens. “But for the rest I think we played with personality and with the right attitude. We controlled the game, we dominated the game. And we are sad for the result. “We are sad because we couldn’t make happy our fans, ourselves, our club. But we have to analyse the performance and the performance was good. “We can learn. We have to learn. We can improve, but it’s difficult to accept this defeat. I congratulated the players 10 minutes ago, because I can’t be happy when we win at Old Trafford and sad today if the performances are both good performances. “We have to know, and we knew before the game, that AEK had two situations where they could score; set-pieces and counter-attack. And when we’re defending set-pieces against this team, we have to be more focused, more with the right attitude, more smart to defend the set-pieces.” De Zerbi confirmed that Dunk and striker Evan Ferguson had been ruled out of contention earlier on Thursday. “Dunk couldn’t play because after the game with Man United he felt a problem,” he added. “This afternoon Evan had a temperature, he is ill.” AEK manager Matias Almeyda reflected on a win which he hoped will help cement his team’s reputation as a serious European force this season. “We work on the basis of playing a type of football based on team work,” he said. “I live my life the way I manage the team. I like to respect people and I like to be respected. We want to be respected in Europe and we wanted to get a result to gain that respect. “We have been working together for over a year. We came here in order to play our usual game. The opposition on a number of occasions forced us to play a different kind of game. But it’s spirit of the team, a fighting spirit, and that’s what we have managed to achieve. To keep on fighting.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Kudos for Mohammed Kudus as West Ham boss David Moyes reflects on comeback win Marcus Smith backed to shine at full-back as England tackle unfancied Chile Unai Emery urges Aston Villa to adapt quickly to demands of European football

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Elon Musk tweeted on Wednesday that the words “cis” and “cisgender” are now considered slurs on Twitter. The CEO and billionaire tweeted the announcement shortly after midnight ET on Wednesday in response to a user who claimed to have been harassed by trans rights activists. James Esses tweeted on Tuesday saying he ‘rejected’ the word ‘cis’ and received “a slew of messages from trans activists calling me ‘cissy’ and telling me that I am ‘cis’ ‘whether or not I like it.’” Cisgender refers to anyone whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Despite the claims from many anti-trans activists that the term cisgender is relatively new, the Oxford English Dictionary notes that the term became popular back in the 1990s. This isn’t the first time the billionaire has promoted anti-trans sentiment. In April, Musk removed Twitter’s previous ban on deadnaming transgender individuals. A move that was denounced by LGBT+ advocacy organisation GLAAD. Some have speculated that much of Musk’s promotion of anti-trans views and rhetoric is related to his estranged daughter, who is trans. Many have criticised Musk’s announcement: Despite Musk’s announcement that ‘cis’ and ‘cisgender’ are now considered slurs, there has been no update to Twitter’s official guidelines. It is also not clear what the consequences are for using such terms. However, many have been quick to point out that Musk’s announcements haven’t always followed through or been implemented. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

When you think of the hoity-toity world of luxury fragrance, the iconic perfume maisons in France may come to mind first. However, Glasshouse Fragrances is putting Australia on the map in a major way — and while I wasn’t expecting it, I’m extremely here for it.

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Josh Sheehan is determined to revive his Wales career after injury destroyed his World Cup dream and provoked the “dark days” that followed. Bolton midfielder Sheehan won his fourth Wales cap – and his first for two years – by coming on as a second-half substitute in the 0-0 friendly draw with South Korea on Thursday. It was reward for a tough journey that began on November 17, 2021 – a date inked in Sheehan’s mind. “An FA Cup game against Stockport, I was running down the line against their full-back and he just gave me a little nudge,” said the 28-year-old from Carmarthenshire. “I felt something in my leg, and it just went. I went down for a second and then I carried on for five minutes, but every time I felt like turning it would give way. “I should have come off thinking about it now. But I’m not the type of player to go down and go off, I’d rather just try and get through.” The reality was that Sheehan had ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament and would spend nine months out of the game. Sheehan’s return to league football at Bolton came just weeks before Wales went to Qatar for their first World Cup in 64 years and time was against him to make Rob Page’s squad. He said: “It was a tough ask to come back and hit my peak straight away. A tough ask for any player. “It’s disappointing because sometimes a World Cup is a once in a lifetime thing, and there are a lot of dark days when you have that sort of injury. “A dark day would be when the boys are all out training, and you’re just watching from the side or you’re in the gym. “Sometimes I would literally be on my own because the physio would be with someone else – and it’s such a long injury. “There’s no rush to get back, but you still have to do everything to the top level and perfect each section coming back from the injury. “Watching games at 3pm on Saturday in the stands knowing you can’t affect the game, that’s probably the dark days mentally.” Sheehan said he got through the rehabilitation process with the help of family and friends – “I’ve got a little daughter and that takes your mind away from football” – and he eventually helped Bolton into the League One play-offs last season. Kicking on this term sealed the return of the Swansea product and former Newport player to the Wales squad during a vital stage of Euro 2024 qualification. Wales play Latvia in Riga on Monday knowing three points is essential to keep alive hopes of a top-two place in Group D. “How I was playing before the injury, I was doing as much as I could, scoring goals at Bolton,” Sheehan said. “It’s disappointing (what happened), but you move on and use it as motivation. “We all know what we have to do in Latvia. We know what our game plan is, and as long as we stick to it, we know we’re good enough to win.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Mike Catt: Ireland wing Mack Hansen’s dropping not due to disciplinary matter Football rumours: Jadon Sancho deal for Saudi move falls at last hurdle Protesters steal the US Open headlines as the heat keeps rising