Brighton 2-3 Man Utd: 5 talking points as the Red Devils prevail after the drama in overtime

Bruno Fernandes converted a penalty in the 10th minute in added time after VAR stepped in to award Manchester United a penalty despite the full-time whistle sounded.

Neal Maupay was suspended for a handball infraction after Solly March appeared to have won a point from Brighton with his header in the 95th minute.

Fernandes kept his cool and gave United their first Premier League win of the season after an own goal by Lewis Dunk and a stunning blow from Marcus Rashford canceled out Maupay’s first goal for the Seagulls.

Rashford also saw a goal disallowed for offside, while VAR stepped in to reverse a penalty awarded to Brighton in the second half of a drama-filled match.

Here are five talking points from an entertaining showdown on the south coast.

1. Fernandes mixed afternoon

Bruno Fernandes was at the center of the action, both good and bad, at the Amex.

The Portuguese star is known for his lethality from 12 yards, but he was the culprit when United conceded a penalty and fell behind the Gaviotas.

Fernandes’ awkward tackle on Tariq Lamptey in the penalty area followed an early yellow card for a poor tackle in what was an unusually sloppy first half.

But the 26-year-old put his mistakes behind him to play a vital role in all of United’s goals.

Fernandes’ free kick in the 43rd minute found Nemanja Matic at the back post to force Lewis Dunk’s error, before his precise pass released Marcus Rashford in his devastating run to put United ahead in the second half.

And of course he kept his composure to smash his late penalty in the top corner and guide United to their first win of the season.

2. Electric lamp

Tariq Lamptey put on another tireless and exciting performance on the right flank to reaffirm why he is one of the most exciting prospects in the Premier League.

The 19-year-old used his lightning speed to help counter the threat from Marcus Rashford, while also moving forward to cause the United defense all sorts of trouble.

It was another burst of pace from Lamptey who earned the penalty for Neal Maupay to convert in the 40th minute, meaning the young Englishman now has one assist and two penalties won in three games this season.

Although England have a wealth of options as a right back, Lamptey continues to defend his inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s next England team.

3. Maguire answers Solskjaer’s call

Before the trip to the south coast, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer called on his defenders and midfielders to step up and contribute more goals, highlighting Harry Maguire.

“We need more goals from our set pieces,” said the United boss. “Harry [Maguire] he is one of the best in the league in the first contacts since set pieces. Can we get more out of that? “

With his team down 1-0, Captain Maguire responded to Solskjaer’s call, forcing Lewis Dunk into his own net from close range after a free kick.

Maguire was initially credited with the goal and may have been frustrated to see an own goal conceded, but Solskjaer will not forget the captain’s contribution when United were in the rear.

4. More goals for Maupay

Last season Neal Maupay showed glimpses of the way he convinced Brighton to spend £ 20 million to sign him from Brentford.

But the Frenchman’s score of 10 goals in 37 league games was disappointing after he found the back of the net 25 times in the previous season in the Championship.

Maupay now seems to live up to his hefty price tag and has started working in his second season with the Seagulls.

He followed up his quick double in the win over Newcastle with a delicious ‘Panenka’ penalty to put his team ahead against the Red Devils.

And although the match ended in disappointment as he was penalized for a costly hand, Maupay will carry great confidence into the next matches after his prolific start to the season.

5. Brighton tests carpentry

By the time Manchester United got their first shot on goal, Brighton had already been repelled by the wood three times.

Leandro Trossard had the desperate misfortune of not continuing his strong start to the season and saw two efforts from the edge of the area on both posts in the first 21 minutes.

And at the half-hour mark, towering center-back Adam Webster sent a looping header into goal only to see his effort cannon recoil off the crossbar.

Although Brighton went on to take the lead via Neal Maupay’s penalty, they will have been devastated to have gone into the full square at half given the amount of opportunities they created.

There was no respite in the second half either, as Solly March hit the inside of the post with an effort from inside the box before Trossard turned it into a wood-hitting hat-trick.

Las Gaviotas only added the wood eight times in the entire 2019/20 campaign, but incredibly hit the post or bar on five occasions against United.

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