Brighton and Hove Albion 1 Manchester United 0
The Seagulls swiped all three points from the spot in the 99th minute with an Alexis Mac Allister penalty planted firmly in the top left corner.
It gave the Albion a glorious Premier League double over United this season after a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford in the opening match.
Deep in Fergie time, Luke Shaw handled the ball in the box and the referee Andre Marriner made the dreaded signal for a VAR review.
But on this occasion, the outcome went Albion’s way and Mac Allister stepped up to help ease the pain of the FA Cup semi-final defeat on penalties at Wembley just 11 days ago.
Once again, Brighton had the best of the ball, with more possession, more shots and more corners but, until the late twist, the game looked like it would end in stalemate.
Instead, Albion leapfrog Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur to sixth place in the table, with 55 points from 32 games. Liverpool are fifth with 59 points from 34.
Albion tried to get Kaoru Mitoma in the game as much as possible Billy Gilmour with a sweeping that set up the Japanese winger , his fierce shot cannoned into the face of David De Gea almost knocking the United keeper out – so much so Ex Palace and Stoke keeper Jake Butland started to warm up. De Gea was able to continue as Mitoma again and Facundo Buonanotte both went close for Albion.
It was fairly end to end as Marcus Rashford got clear of Lewis Dunk saw his shot beaten away by Jason Steele – then with Moises Caicedo occasionally struggling in an unfamiliar right back position, United tried a rehearsed corner routine which saw Anthony scuff a shot wide.
Danny Welbeck playing quite deep found Julio Enciso who pulled his shot wide.
Before the half ended Anthony Martial saw a shot saved well by the legs of Steele and Mitoma seemingly hacked down by Luke Shaw , but referee Andre Mariner immediately waved away appeals and there was no VAR intervention.
Mitoma was again given Arron Wan- Bissaka a torrid time as Albion kicked towards the north stand in the second half – although the winger was unable to provide the finished article either in terms of shots on goal or pinpoint crosses – although he did find Welbeck on the edge of the box, but the former United striker blasted over from the edge of the penalty area.
Albion and Mitoma had another shout for penalty as both Wan-Bissaka and Shaw looked to have hauled him down – but again Mr Marriner was unimpressed.
Albion were well in top as Deniz Undav replaced Welbeck and Solly March replaced Bunonanotte, March adding more zip to Albion’s attack and he saw a shot whistle post.
Levi Colwill replaced the already booked Adam Webster, as Caicedo went into central midfield.
This immediately made a Albion much more robust force – Lewis Dunk saw a header from a March corner go inches over the bar – March was involved again as he beat several players but couldn’t get a shot away as the ball was cleared by United it dropped to Mac Allister who’s low drive saw Des Gea scamper across his goal to push away the effort.
As the clocked kicked into five minutes added time Albion had a succession or corners – from one of these, Shaw batted the ball away with his hand, not spotted by Marriner play went on despite Albion protestations – eventually the referee was encouraged to check the VAR screen and almost immediately pointed to the spot.
It took an age before Marriner could regain control and allow Mac Allister to pause and then fire his spot kick higher into the top right hand corner, the Amex and the Albion players exploded.
The clock was now on 90+9 and there was barely time Rashford to whack the ball upfield before the referee Marriner blew for full time and the Albion had again, five years to the day since they first beat United in the Premier League era, again overcame their apparently more prestigious opponents. Albion who in 2017 hadn’t played United in the League for 34 years, let alone won , have now beaten them five times since 4th May 2018.
Albion up to sixth and currently in the Europa League qualifying places take on lowly Everton at the Amex this coming Monday May 8th.
