Alexis Mac Allister’s penalty in the 99th minute gave Brighton a shock 1-0 victory over Manchester United on Thursday night at the AMEX Stadium. For the best sports betting casinos of May 2023, make sure you visit our other pages!
After Luke Shaw’s outstretched arm was touched by a late Brighton corner in added time, Andre Marriner required the assistance of VAR to call for a penalty. By taking his time and beating David de Gea, Mac Allister gave Brighton a well-earned win over Eric Ten Hag’s United.
Kaoru Mitoma had Brighton’s finest early chance when he found himself in plenty of space in United’s box but sent his shot straight at De Gea’s head, which bewildered the goalkeeper. The visitors had the better of the first-half opportunities, with Antony and Marcus Rashford coming close.
While several players lost their composure, both sides endeavored to find the elusive victory even as the second half threatened to boil over at different points. United was fortunate to finish with 11 players on the field. Up until they took that final, clinching penalty, Brighton had the upper hand in the closing minutes.
Manchester United entered Thursday four points ahead of Liverpool, and they had plenty of opportunities to widen that advantage. As Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp began to regain its form, United would have been aware of their rival’s momentum as they worked to secure their place in the Champions League positions. However, they were unable to maintain control of the game in the final minutes, and they departed Brighton with yet another defeat on the road.
United had opportunities to win this game, and Antony was responsible for blowing a golden opportunity after only two minutes when he missed a shot after being placed through. Marcus Rashford had an excellent chance in the first half but Jason Steele made a fine save at his near post. Antony Martial also saw a close-range attempt stopped by the outstanding Brighton goalkeeper as he sprinted at substitute right-back Moises Caicedo.
The visitors had fewer opportunities in the second half, as Bruno Fernandes forced a solid stop from Steele as United was unable to secure the victory. Up until that last-second victory, they ultimately had to trust De Gea to hold Brighton at bay.
This season, that has become the narrative of their trips away from Old Trafford. With only one victory in their previous 14 games (a 2-1 victory over Fulham in November courtesy of Alejandro Garnacho’s goal in the 93rd minute), Manchester United’s road record against clubs ranked in the top 10 is appalling. Ten Hag will need to address it if they want to mount a serious title challenge the following year.
When his players lost their composure, Ten Hag would have paid heed, and it was fortunate for United to win without going down a man. After making a vicious tackle on Alexis MacAllister in the second half, Casemiro was fortunate not to receive a second caution. Meanwhile, Antony lost his composure and started a brief altercation with the Argentinean. For United, it was a bad night; for Brighton, it was a fantastic one.
Brighton is advancing toward the finish of the season.
After losing to Manchester United at Wembley in the FA Cup semifinal in April and suffering a painful defeat to Tottenham Hotspur earlier that month that was overturned by VAR, there were concerns that Brighton’s season could have reached a deadlock. But do not worry; despite resting some important players, they crushed Wolverhampton Wanderers 6-0 at the weekend. They also played brilliantly at times against Manchester United and earned the victory.
In the first half, both teams traded good opportunities, but Brighton performed better in the second. From the bench, Solly March had a significant influence as Brighton raised the stakes in the final minutes. De Gea made a great stop on an arrowed attempt from Mac Allister, and Fernandes cleared another opportunity off the line, but in the end, it was Mac Allister who provided the breakthrough.
The finest player on the field was Mac Allister (more on him later), but one of the most intriguing matches was between the talented Kaoru Mitoma and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Wan-Bissaka lost to Mitoma early on, and the Japanese forward pounced on a sloppy Victor Lindelof pass to shoot straight at De Gea, knocking the Spanish goalkeeper unconscious. Mitoma was frequently one of Brighton’s most dangerous threats, and it was disappointing that he did not receive a penalty when he was brought down in the box in the second half.
Ever since Mac Allister returned to England following the World Cup with Argentina, speculation has abounded that he may leave Brighton. He is excellent, and given that the majority of Europe’s elite teams are aiming to strengthen their midfield this summer, he won’t be short of admirers, with Liverpool leading the push.
But it will be difficult to persuade him to leave this place. Brighton plays amazing football, they’re a club on the rise, the players are getting better under the direction of De Zerbi, and the atmosphere is fantastic. Against Manchester United, Mac Allister once more shone. He was in complete control of the middle of the field, knowing just when to attack and when to focus on their flank threats. He was a smart defender who frequently recycled the ball in the center of the field. He is the ideal center midfielder, to put it briefly.
