Brighton Hand Man United Their First Defeat of the 2024-25 Season
Manchester United were dealt a crushing blow as Brighton and Hove Albion secured a dramatic, stoppage-time victory, handing the Red Devils their first defeat of the 2024-25 Premier League season.
The game at the Amex Stadium saw the Seagulls capitalise on defensive lapses to claim a 2-1 win, with Brazilian forward Joao Pedro scoring the decisive goal in the dying moments of the match.
Brighton Take the Lead
The match began with both teams pressing high, but it was Brighton who found the breakthrough via former United striker Danny Welbeck, who scored his 100th career goal from close range midway through the first half.
Poor defending from United allowed two crosses to slip through their backline, ultimately finding Kaoru Mitoma, who delivered a precise pass to Welbeck. The striker slid in to poke the ball past André Onana, much to the delight of the home fans.
Welbeck’s goal marked his second in as many games this season, and his fifth league goal against his former club [the most of any of the Red Devils' former players], proving to be a thorn in United’s side once again. Despite the early lead, Brighton continued to threaten, showcasing their attacking prowess.
James Milner, the veteran midfielder, had a golden opportunity to extend Brighton's lead but saw his shot cleared off the line by Diogo Dalot. Another chance fell to Welbeck, who headed the ball straight into Onana’s arms before rattling the crossbar later in the match.
United’s Response and VAR Drama
Despite being on the back foot, Man United eventually found a way back into the game. Just past the hour mark, Ivorian winger Amad Diallo produced a moment of individual brilliance.
Racing down the right flank, he cut inside before unleashing a powerful shot that deflected off Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke and into the net, levelling the score at 1-1. This equaliser sparked hope for United as they sought to gain control of the game.
Moments later, it appeared United had turned the tide completely when Alejandro Garnacho found the back of the net. The goal came from a well-worked move involving Bruno Fernandes, who set up Garnacho for what seemed to be a crucial strike. However, the celebrations were cut short when VAR intervened, ruling the goal out for offside.
Replays showed that Joshua Zirkzee, who was practically on the goal line, had inadvertently touched the ball while in an offside position. The decision left Garnacho, Zirkzee, and the rest of the United squad frustrated as their potential comeback was thwarted.
Pedro’s Late Winner and Defensive Woes
As the game seemed to be heading towards a draw, Brighton delivered a final blow in stoppage time. A well-executed cross from Simon Adingra found Joao Pedro unmarked in the penalty area.
The Brazilian forward made no mistake, nodding the ball home to secure all three points for Brighton. United’s defence was once again caught napping, allowing Pedro the space and time to finish unchallenged.
The late goal sealed Brighton's victory and highlighted Manchester United’s defensive frailties. The Red Devils, who had shown promise in their opening matches, were left to rue missed opportunities and lapses in concentration at the back. Brighton’s relentless pressure and attacking threat proved too much for United to handle, leaving Erik ten Hag’s men with plenty of questions to answer.
Ten Hag’s Selection Dilemma
A key talking point from the match was Ten Hag’s decision to bench summer signing Joshua Zirkzee, who had made a memorable debut against Fulham just days earlier. Ten Hag introduced Zirkzee at halftime, replacing Mason Mount, in an effort to bolster United’s attack. While Zirkzee worked hard during his time on the pitch, his involvement in the disallowed goal left him painted as a potential villain.
Ten Hag defended his decision to bring Zirkzee along slowly, citing the need for the player to adapt to the demands of Premier League football. “You don’t win with 11 players, you win with a squad,” Ten Hag had noted earlier, emphasising the importance of squad depth and competition for places.
Moving Forward
The loss at the Amex Stadium leaves Manchester United with much to ponder as they prepare for their next fixtures. Ten Hag will be keen to address the defensive shortcomings that allowed Brighton to exploit spaces and create numerous opportunities.
The defeat also underlines the importance of consistency and resilience in a campaign that promises to be fiercely competitive.
As for Brighton, the victory maintains their perfect start to the season, building momentum as they continue to defy expectations. Manager Roberto De Zerbi's successor Fabian Hürzeler will be pleased with his team’s performance, particularly their ability to stay composed and capitalise on key moments.
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