Brighton become the first PFL team to win at Old Trafford since Brighton in 2022
A L B I O N R E P O R T - ( v )
16 SEPTEMBER 2023
MANCHESTER UNITED 1 ( Hannibal Mejbri)
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 3 ( Danny Welbeck, Pascal Gross Joao Pedro
-PREMIER LEAGUE - at OLD TRAFFORD, MANCHESTER.
The Seagulls travelled North to meet Manchester United in a Premier League encounter at Old Trafford, the match being broadcast over the airwaves on Talksport 2 and BBC Radio Sussex Sport. The Albion were on a winning streak against their hosts, having beaten United in their last three Premier League meetings.
Surprisingly, Albion Head Coach Roberto De Zerbi made six changes to his starting line-up from the team which beat Newcastle United 3-1 at the Amex on the 2 September, with Jason Steele, Tariq Lamptey, Mahmoud Dahoud, Simon Adringa, Adam Lallana and Danny Welbeck coming in for Bart Verbruggen, Pervis Estupinan (exhausted), Billy Gilmour, Solly March (injured), Joao Pedro and Evan Ferguson.
Verbruggen, Gilmour, Pedro and Ferguson dropped down to the substitutes bench, where they were joined by recent signings Carlos Baleba and Ansu Fati.
In their previous Premier League outing United lost 1-3 at Arsenal on the 3 September and for Albion's visit Manager Erik Ten Hag made three changes to his starting line-up from that game, with Sergio Reguilon, Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund replacing Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Antony and Anthony Martial.
In their meetings last season Albion did the double over United, winning 2-1 at Old Trafford on the 7 August 2022, with Pascal Gross netting twice (30m & 39m) and United's goal being an Alexis Mac Allister own goal (68m). In the return game at the Amex on the 4 May 2023 the Albion won 1-0 through an Alexis Mac Allister penalty (99m).
Albion's line-up at Old Trafford on the 7 August 2022 was (3-4-2-1):- Robert Sanchez; Joel Veltman, Lewis Dunk (Capt), Adam Webster; Pascal Gross, Alexis Mac Allister, Moises Caicedo, Leandro Trossard (Tariq Lamptey 75); Solly March (Levi Colwill 90+1), Adam Lallana (Enock Mwepu 76); Danny Welbeck (Deniz Undav 90+1).
Subs not used: Jason Steele (G/K), Jan Paul Van Hecke, Kaoru Mitoma, Jeremy Sarmiento, Neal Maupay.
The Red Devils started brightly and early on Albion goalkeeper Jason Steele made a smart save from Marcus Rashford's snap shot but the Seagulls settled and took the lead on 20 minutes when Simon Adringa's low cross from the right found Danny Welbeck in the middle and the former United player calmly netted with a left-foot shot from close-in. 1-0. Minutes later Mahmoud Dahoud's pass found Welbeck some 20 yards out but the striker's curled shot just cleared the United crossbar. Rashford then came close to equalising for the home side but his well-struck shot hit the junction of bar and post.
Just before the interval United thought they had equalised through Rasmus Hojlund but the goal was ruled out by VAR, as the ball had run out of play previously. The Seagulls had been the better team first-half and were deservedly ahead.
Half-time 1-0
Pascal Gross celebrates his goal.
The Albion made a superb start to the second-half when a fine move involving Kaoru Mitoma and Tariq Lamptey ended with Pascal Gross wrong-footing defender Lisandro Martinez before firing home a low right-foot shot from 12 yards out. 2-0.
On 64 minutes Albion brought on Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati (20) as substitute for Adam Lallana, for his Albion debut. Keeper Steele was then called into action, saving a long-range effort from United captain Bruno Fernandes and on 71 minutes the Seagulls scored a third when Lamptey raced down the left before squaring a pass to substitute Joao Pedro, who finished with aplomb. Another fine Albion goal and their supporters were ecstatic. 3-0.
Within minutes United had pulled a goal back when substitute Hannibal Mejbri flashed home a piledriver of a shot from 20 yards out, giving keeper Steele no chance. 3-1.
Chances were thereafter created at both ends, Victor Lindelo f headed over and United keeper Andre Onana saved brilliantly on three occasions to thwart efforts by Mitoma and substitutes Evan Ferguson and Ansu Fati.
A magnificent win for the Albion.
Final-score 3-1.
Match stats:
Albion had 10 attempts at goal, with 8 on target and won 1 corner, free-kicks conceded - 9.
Manchester United had 14 attempts at goal, with 4 on target and won 8 corners, free-kicks conceded - 8.
VERDICT - This was not a surprise result, it was expected by most followers of football. Albion outplayed United on the day and thoroughly deserved their win, which was their fourth victory in the last four Premier League games against United. Head Coach Roberto De Zerbi surprisingly made six changes to his starting line-up from the Newcastle game. The changes didnt affect the Seagulls one bit and merely shows the strength in depth of the Albion squad.
The Albion finished the matchday 5 of games in fifth position in the Premier.
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Jason Steele; Joel Veltman, Jan Paul Van Hecke, Lewis Dunk (Capt), Tariq Lamptey (James Milner 77); Pascal Gross, Mahmoud Dahoud (Billy Gilmour 77); Simon Adringa (Evan Ferguson 85), Adam Lallana (Ansu Fati 64), Kaoru Mitoma; Danny Welbeck (Joao Pedro 64).
Subs not used: Bart Verbruggen (G/K), Igor Julio, Adam Webster, Carlos Baleba.
Manchester United line-up (4-1-2-1-2):- Andre Onana; Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof, Lisandro Martinez (Aaron Wan-Bissaka 85), Sergio Reguilon (Alejandro Garnacho 85); Casemiro (Hannibal Mejbri 64); Scott McTominay (Facundo Pellistri 85), Christian Eriksen; Bruno Fernandes (Capt); Rasmus Hojlund (Anthony Martial 64), Marcus Rashford.
Subs not used: Altay Bayindir (G/K), Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans, Daniel Gore.
Referee: Jarred Gillett (Queensland, Australia). VAR Official: Chris Kavanagh,
Yellow Cards: Albion: 2 - Jan Paul Van Hecke, Tariq Lamptey.
Manchester United: 2 - Hannibal Mejbri, Bruno Fernandes.
Possession: Albion - 56%. Manchester United - 44%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Lewis Dunk (Albion).
Attendance: 73592.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES:
21 SEPTEMBER 2023 - AEK ATHENS - home - Europa League - kick-off 20.00.
24 SEPTEMBER 2023 - AFC BOURNEMOUTH - home - Premier League - kick-off 14.00.
27 SEPTEMBER 2023 - CHELSEA - away - Carabao Cup, Third Round - kick-off 19.45.
30 SEPTEMBER 2023 - ASTON VILLA - away - Premier League - kick-off 12.30. "Live" on TNT Sports.
ALBION 4-YEAR FLASHBACK - 19 JANUARY 2019 - PREMIER LEAGUE - OLD TRAFFORD -
MANCHESTER UNITED 2 (Paul Pogba 1, penalty - 27 minutes, Marcus Rashford 1 - 42 minutes)
ALBION 1 (Pascal Gross 1 - 72 minutes).
Albion line-up (4-5-1):- David Button; Martin Montoya, Shane Duffy, Lewis Dunk (Capt), Gaetan Bong; Solly March (Anthony Knockaert 61), Pascal Gross (Beram Kayal 82), Dale Stephens, Davy Propper, Jurgen Locadia; Glenn Murray (Florin Andone 60). Subs not used: Jason Steele (G/K), Bruno Saltor, Leon Balogun, Viktor Gyokeres.
Manager: Chris Hughton.
Jack Kaye.
19 September 2023.
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