Joao Pedro scored at the last touch of the ball as Brighton defeated Manchester United at Falmer Stadium in the Premier League.
The first half of the match ended with Brighton holding a 1-0 lead at the break, thanks to a fine goal by Danny Welbeck.
It was nearly a barren run before Danny Welbeck broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute, slotting home a very good pass past Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana.
It wasn’t all bad for Manchester United, who did offer moments of promise. Diogo Dalot sent a long-range shot inches wide thunderously in the 28th minute. Bruno Fernandes got a number of crosses and corners into the Brighton box, but the visitors’ defense held firm.
Marcus Rashford equaliser ruled out
Controversy first erupted in the 34th minute when Marcus Rashford turned home for United, only to see his goal ruled out. A handball by Evans in the build-up was spotted following a VAR review. The decision infuriated the United players and supporters, who were desperate for an equalizer.
The Brighton defense was resilient, with the team able to clear a number of dangerous deliveries by Fernandes and repel all other United attacks at their backline.
At one point, Casemiro came very close to leveling the match with a headed ball from a free kick which narrowly missed the target.
Thereby, the first half was all set for Brighton to keep that thin edge into an exciting second half.
Brighton Snatch Late Victory Against Manchester United in Dramatic 2-1 Finish
The second half resumed with Manchester United going down 1-0, but the team wasted no time in finding its tempo.
At the 60th-minute mark, Amad Diallo found the leveller for Manchester United, but it was a contentious goal. After a protracted VAR review, the goal was given—the United faithful finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.
Manchester United never gave up searching for a winner after Diallo’s leveler. Alejandro Garnacho had laid it on for Joshua Zirkzee in the 70th minute, who easily slotted in. However, VAR intervened again, ruling out the goal out for offside.
It was in added time that Brighton would strike the final blow. Joao Pedro made no mistake in front of goal from point-blank range to restore Brighton’s lead.
With a minute of stoppage time remaining, Pedro slotted home the winner from Simon Adingra’s cross against the run of play.
It was a gut-wrenching moment for Manchester United, who were pressing for a winner themselves.
Brighton’s defense held firm in the final minutes as United searched desperately for a second equalizer. It was the hosts who walked away with all three points after the final whistle. The result did much to frustrate Manchester United on wasting a dominant second half display and leave Brighton celebrating a hard-earned win.
The win has seen Manchester United lose four of their last five matches against Brighton in the Premier League. They have only managed one win in the past five meetings with the Seagulls.
Brighton have now made it two wins in two matches in the campaign while United have been pegged back to default settings after opening victory over Fulham.
