Joao Pedro's dramatic 95th-minute header secured a 2-1 victory for Brighton over Manchester United on Saturday, marking a triumphant home Premier League debut for 31-year-old manager Fabian Hurzeler. Brighton seemed to have sealed the win after Pedro headed in Simon Adingra’s cross, despite a strong challenge from United. Earlier in the match, Danny Welbeck had given Brighton the lead in the first half, only for Amad Diallo to equalize for United with a deflected effort.
Manchester United nearly claimed the win themselves when Alejandro Garnacho’s shot was diverted by teammate Joshua Zirkzee, who was in an offside position, preventing the goal from standing. The failure to convert this chance proved costly as Brighton capitalized on the opportunity, with Pedro’s late goal earning them maximum points and a perfect start to their season under Hurzeler.
The defeat highlights ongoing concerns for United manager Erik ten Hag, particularly with Liverpool set to visit Old Trafford next weekend. Despite finishing eighth in the Premier League last season, Ten Hag managed to keep his job by winning the FA Cup. However, the team’s performances in their early league matches this season have failed to demonstrate significant improvement from their previous campaign.
In contrast, Brighton's impressive start, including a 3-0 win over Everton in Hurzeler’s first match, suggests they are poised to challenge for European football next season. The Seagulls’ solid performance against United, highlighted by Welbeck’s first-half goal and Pedro’s late winner, underlines their potential as serious contenders this season.
United's struggles were evident as they failed to capitalize on key moments. After Welbeck’s goal, Marcus Rashford’s attempt was ruled out for offside, and Diallo’s deflected strike was their only breakthrough until the late game drama. Zirkzee’s offside interference further hindered United’s chances, while Brighton’s resilience and sharpness in the final moments ensured they took all three points.
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