Brighton continued their impressive start to the Premier League season by beating Manchester United 2-1 on the South Coast.
Amad Diallo had a big chance to put the Red Devils ahead early on, meeting a volley in the box but putting it wide.
And Erik ten Hag’s side were punished a few minutes later after Kaoru Mitoma delivered a perfect cross to Danny Welbeck, who netted his 100th career goal to put the Seagulls ahead.
Marcus Rashford looked to have scored an equaliser minutes later, putting in a follow-up to his initial header that was saved by Jason Steele.
However the England international was offside and saw his celebrations cut short.
United did get back into the game through Amad Diallo, who finished well after driving into the box and levelling the score.
DAT GUY WELBZ!!! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/l3QCRyPBmC
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) August 24, 2024
It was so close to 2-1 ten minutes later, after Alejandro Garnacho appeared to put the ball into an empty net.
But a sliding Joshua Zirkzee touched the ball as it went through, meaning the goal was ruled out for offside.
And in a dramatic finish, Joao Pedro stepped up as the hero for Brighton, heading home in the 95th minute to send the stadium into pandemonium and earn the team all three points.
How it happened
Ten Hag named an unchanged side from the team that beat Fulham in the curtain-raiser last Friday.
Mason Mount, Rashford and Diallo all retained their places, while previous goalscorer Zirkzee and Garnacho returned to the bench after impressing in their cameos at Old Trafford.
Brighton proved they are a force to be reckoned with under new head coach Fabian Hurzeler.
And the Seagulls started on the front foot in the pouring rain on Saturday lunchtime, putting United under some early pressure.
But it was the visitors who had the first big chance of the match. Diallo found space in the box and from a Bruno Fernandes cross and looked to get caught in two minds when directing his effort on goal.
Instead of going with his head, the winger tried to hit a difficult half-volley past Steele, to no avail.
Not long after, the Red Devils were behind.
We’re at the halfway stage at Amex Stadium, and the hosts @OfficialBHAFC lead 1-0 against @ManUtd 🔵⚪️
Danny Welbeck’s finish from Kaoru Mitoma’s pinpoint pass separates the two sides#TheKickOff | #BHAMUN pic.twitter.com/FcMUaW8eBq
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 24, 2024
Welbeck’s impressive performance in the 3-0 win against Everton carried over into the match against his former club and he wasted no time netting the opener.
He slid in to turn home Mitoma’s dangerous cross in what is a major landmark for the England international.
Man Utd nearly had an instant reply.
Rashford had two bites at the cherry at the back post, seeing his first header saved but bundling the ball home at the second attempt.
But the linesman’s flag went up as the forward wheeled away to celebrate and it meant the visitors headed in at half-time with work to do.
Zirkzee was called upon for the second half, replacing Mount, who struggled to have an impact on the game.
But it was the home side who continued to push on, with Welbeck striking the crossbar 59 minutes in.
The effort off the woodwork would prove costly for Brighton.
With 30 minutes still to go, Diallo found space to drive into the box after picking up the ball from Noussair Mazraoui and slotted calmly past Steele to level things at 1-1.
Amad Diallo levels for @ManUtd!
Just under 25 minutes to play on the south coast. How do you see this ending?#TheKickOff | #BHAMUN pic.twitter.com/buWZkXeAds
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 24, 2024
United thought they had a second through Garnacho, who had been introduced a few minutes after the equaliser.
He met Fernandes’ ball across and passed it home, but there was drama to come yet.
Zirkzee had slid towards the goal trying to reach the initial cross, and the ball hit him as Garnacho tapped home for what looked like a second.
It meant the goal was ruled out for offside, much to the frustrations of the travelling supporters.
Ten Hag freshened up the legs for the final 10 mins, bringing on Scott McTominay and summer signing Matthijs De Ligt.
But they were undone at the death.
Pedro was lurking at the back and was unmarked as Simon Adingra delivered a cross in added time, which the Brazilian forward headed home.
JOAO PEDROOOOOOOOOO! 💫 pic.twitter.com/d8gzS1Pepe
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) August 24, 2024
It was chaos inside the Amex Stadium as the fans, coaching staff and players celebrated.
Man Utd will feel hard done by, but it was a well-earned victory for the Seagulls in the end.
