In a thrilling Premier League encounter at the American Express Stadium, Brighton & Hove Albion secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Manchester United, thanks to João Pedro’s stoppage-time header. The match, which took place on Saturday, August 24, 2024, saw Brighton extend their winning start to the season, leaving Manchester United frustrated as they fell short in the dying moments.
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Brighton vs Man U First Half: Brighton Takes the Lead
The match began with Manchester United pressing high and looking to impose their game plan early on. However, Brighton’s disciplined approach saw them weather the initial storm. The breakthrough came in the 32nd minute when Danny Welbeck, a former Manchester United player, opened the scoring for Brighton. Kaoru Mitoma played a pivotal role, delivering a precise assist that allowed Welbeck to slot the ball home from close range. This goal marked Welbeck’s 100th club career goal and his sixth against his former side.
Manchester United thought they had an immediate response when Marcus Rashford’s effort found the back of the net, but the assistant referee flagged for offside, and the decision was upheld by VAR. The first half ended with Brighton leading 1-0, a scoreline that reflected their clinical finishing.
Brighton vs Man U Second Half: United Fights Back
Manchester United came out with renewed vigor in the second half, determined to find an equalizer. Despite Brighton’s early attempts to extend their lead, with Welbeck hitting the crossbar and seeing another effort cleared off the line by Diogo Dalot, it was United who struck next.
In the 60th minute, Amad Diallo brought United level with a well-taken goal. After receiving the ball from Noussair Mazraoui, Amad cut inside from the right and fired a low shot that deflected off Jan Paul van Hecke, wrong-footing Jason Steele and finding the bottom right corner. The goal was a poignant moment for Amad, who pointed to the sky in tribute to his stepmother, who had recently passed away.
United continued to press, and Alejandro Garnacho thought he had scored the winner in the 70th minute. However, VAR once again intervened, ruling out the goal for offside, as Joshua Zirkzee was deemed to be in an offside position when he nudged the ball over the line.
Stoppage-Time Drama: João Pedro’s Winner
As the match seemed destined for a draw, Brighton pushed for a winner. Their persistence paid off in the fifth minute of added time. Substitute Simon Adingra delivered a perfectly weighted cross into the box, where João Pedro rose unchallenged to head the ball past André Onana, sending the home fans into raptures. The goal sealed a dramatic 2-1 victory for Brighton, who showed remarkable resilience and determination to secure all three points.
Brighton vs Man U Lineups
Brighton & Hove Albion Starting XI:
- Jason Steele (GK)
- Tariq Lamptey (RB)
- Jan Paul van Hecke (CB)
- Lewis Dunk (CB, Captain)
- Pervis Estupiñán (LB)
- Pascal Groß (CM)
- Billy Gilmour (CM)
- Kaoru Mitoma (LW)
- Solly March (RW)
- Danny Welbeck (CF)
- João Pedro (CF)
Substitutes:
- Bart Verbruggen (GK)
- Joel Veltman
- Simon Adingra (Substituted in for Solly March, 75′)
- James Milner
- Mahmoud Dahoud
- Adam Webster
- Ansu Fati (Substituted in for Danny Welbeck, 65′)
- Evan Ferguson
- Adam Lallana
Manchester United Starting XI:
- André Onana (GK)
- Diogo Dalot (RB)
- Raphaël Varane (CB)
- Lisandro Martínez (CB)
- Luke Shaw (LB)
- Casemiro (CDM)
- Kobbie Mainoo (CM)
- Bruno Fernandes (CM, Captain)
- Amad Diallo (RW)
- Marcus Rashford (LW)
- Joshua Zirkzee (CF)
Substitutes:
- Altay Bayındır (GK)
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka
- Victor Lindelöf
- Harry Maguire
- Mason Mount
- Christian Eriksen
- Alejandro Garnacho (Substituted in for Kobbie Mainoo, 68′)
- Rasmus Højlund
- Noussair Mazraoui (Substituted in for Diogo Dalot, 55′)
Brighton vs Man U Key Moments:
- 32’: Danny Welbeck scores for Brighton, assisted by Kaoru Mitoma.
- 60’: Amad Diallo equalizes for Manchester United, assisted by Noussair Mazraoui.
- 70’: Joshua Zirkzee’s goal for United is ruled out by VAR for offside.
- 90+5’: João Pedro scores the winning goal for Brighton, assisted by Simon Adingra.
Brighton vs Man U Stats
- Goals: Brighton (Welbeck 32’, João Pedro 90+5’) 2-1 Manchester United (Amad 60’)
- Assists: Brighton (Mitoma, Adingra), Manchester United (Mazraoui)
- Yellow Cards: Brighton (Jan Paul van Hecke), Manchester United (Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo)
Brighton vs Man U Post-Match Reflection: Brighton’s Bright Start and United’s Missed Opportunities
This victory marked Brighton’s second consecutive win of the season, a positive start under new manager Fabian Hurzeler. The Seagulls demonstrated their ability to compete with top teams, showcasing their quality in the final third and their fighting spirit in defense.
For Manchester United, the result was a bitter pill to swallow. Despite showing flashes of brilliance, especially through their wide players and high press, they lacked the finishing touch needed to capitalize on their opportunities. Erik ten Hag’s side will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for a crucial clash against Liverpool next weekend.
