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Bruno Fernandes’ penalty in the 100th minute broke Brighton’s hearts as Manchester United beat Brighton & Hove Albion 3-2 after the late drama at Amex Stadium.
Solly March’s draw in the 95th minute seemed to have earned the hosts a well-earned point after an own goal by Lewis Dunk and a wonderful solo effort by Marcus Rashford canceled Neal Maupay’s penalty.
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But the latter was deemed to have managed Harry Maguire’s effort in the closing seconds and although the full-time whistle had been blown, VAR intervened and Fernandes calmly dispatched his ninth Premier League goal.
That was tough for the Seagulls, who had dominated for big moments and rocked the goal frame five times, but it was enough to get Solskjaer’s men going in really impressive fashion.
Positive
Solskjaer will have been happy to see his team respond immediately by falling behind, while the visitors carried much more attacking threat in the second half. Rashford’s clinical attack was also a beautiful thing and, more importantly, United are out of line.
Negative
The visitors were slow to get off the blocks and found their foot back in a first half where Brighton was creating the best chances, and the Seagulls hit the wood five times in a contest that could have ended very differently.
Administrator rating (out of 10)
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, 5 – The Norwegian called Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Nemanja Matic and Mason Greenwood but they all had little effect. Everything he said at halftime had the desired impact and his team started the second half much stronger, but United paid the price for inviting late pressure.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best, players submitted after 70 minutes are not rated)
BY David De Gea, 5 – He reacted well to tipping Adam Webster’s looping header towards the bar in the first half, but was relieved to see Brighton hit the goal frame so many times. Comfortably beaten by Maupay’s cold penalty, but then denied the same man with a clever save.
DF Aaron Wan-Bissaka 5 – He returned to the team in place of Timothy Fosu-Mensah but, for once, his performance lacked bursts of rhythm from the right. At least it produced a major block to frustrate March.
DF Victor Lindelof, 6 – He had to be vigilant from the start, making sure Brighton had to settle for a corner, as the Maupay center seemed to hurt United from the start. There have been doubts about his ability to play central, but today he remained stable.
DF Harry Maguire, 7 – The United captain won some major aerial battles and became a nuisance, forcing Dunk to turn the ball into the back of his own net, while his last-gasp header marked the dramatic finale.
DF Luke Shaw, 6 years He did his best to provide a way out and offer attack support from the left. The winger produced nothing sensational, but equally nothing dire in constant display.
MF Paul Pogba, 5 years old – Another that failed to have any real impact. His most notable moment came when he seemed to outmaneuver Aaron Connolly, but the VAR offered the French star some breathing space.
MF Nemanja Matic, 6 – He encapsulated United’s frustration to perfection when his sloppy outstretched arm caught Connolly, but his cut into a dangerous area tied it up.
MF Bruno Fernandes, 8 – Ugly, but effective. Some wayward passing and cheap booking were followed by a careless collision with Tariq Lamptey in the box that gave the hosts the advantage. He redeemed himself with a handsome free kick that led to the draw and sent Rashford on his way with an excellent pass that ended up at United taking the lead, before sealing all three points with another penalty, though probably the only one he will ever take. score past the final whistle.
FW Mason Greenwood 5 – He replaced Daniel James on the side. He was only able to comfortably drag in one effort after a rare Lamptey error before handily beating Mat Ryan on his next attempt, but United failed to beat the offside flag.
DEL Anthony Martial, 6 – The Frenchman came painfully close to connecting with Fernandes’ crusader and then showed excellent feet before feeding Rashford from behind. Like United, he was relatively calm, but always carried a threat.
FW Marcus Rashford, 7 – The England forward put up a huge layup opportunity for Mason Greenwood before scoring moments after the restart, but both times he had strayed from play. He redeemed himself with a simply exquisite run and shot that twice had Ben White on the court.
Substitutes
MF Fred, 6 – He requested Pogba to help stabilize the boat while Brighton searched for a leveler and conceded a free throw within seconds of entering the field of play.
DF Eric Bailly, NR – He replaced Greenwood as visitors looked to adjust things. He put his body on the line for the cause, but it seemed to no avail when Brighton snatched what they thought was a late draw.
MF Donny van de Beek, NR – He replaced Martial in the end, but didn’t have time to impact, although his low cross drew a late corner.
