Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Manchester United. Joao Pedro scored a dramatic 95th-minute header to secure a thrilling victory for Brighton, maintaining their perfect start to the season at Manchester United’s expense.
United believed they had seized the game when Alejandro Garnacho converted a low cross from Bruno Fernandes 18 minutes from the end. However, the goal was disallowed after a VAR review revealed that the ball had touched substitute Joshua Zirkzee before crossing the line, putting an end to United’s celebration.
This allowed Pedro to claim the winning goal, finishing off a cross from Simon Adingra at the far post. The win was a perfect start for new Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler, who had only recently taken over.
Former United striker Danny Welbeck had earlier given Brighton the lead with his fifth Premier League goal against his old club. He almost added a second in the second half, but his header hit the crossbar as Brighton pressed for more.
United briefly took control after Amad Diallo equalized in the 60th minute. However, once Garnacho’s goal was ruled out, their best chances came from long-range efforts by Scott McTominay and Casemiro, neither of which troubled Brighton’s goal.
The late winner sparked jubilation among the Brighton fans, with Hurzeler, who has faced skepticism due to his young age, celebrating with evident delight. Billy Gilmour, linked with a move to Napoli, was named man of the match, receiving enthusiastic support from the crowd, who hope he will remain with the team.
Brighton’s resilience despite managerial changes has been notable. The club thrived under Graham Potter, Roberto de Zerbi, and now Hurzeler, demonstrating the robustness of their approach.
It’s still early days for Hurzeler, but his tenure began impressively following Brighton’s commanding win over Everton. Despite a bit of fortune—Zirkzee inadvertently obstructing Garnacho’s effort—Brighton’s performance was commendable. With new signings like Rutter and Matt O’Reilly, expected to join soon, further improvements are anticipated.
Welbeck continues to be a crucial player for Brighton. The 33-year-old, who signed a new contract in May keeping him at the club until 2026, remains a significant threat. His goal against United came after Harry Maguire hesitated, allowing Kaoru Mitoma to provide a crucial pass for Welbeck’s simple finish.
