Brighton and Hove Albion lost Roberto De Zerbi’s last game in charge, slipping to 11th place in the Premier League table.
Diogo Dalot and Rasmus Hojlund scored second-half goals as Manchester United took all three points at the Amex this afternoon (Sunday 19 May).
It was also Adam Lallana’s final match and he 36-year-old midfielder was emotional when he was substituted in the 55th minute, leaving the pitch to a standing ovation
Albion had a host of chances in the first half, with Adam Webster going close from a Pascal Gross corner – the defender glancing his header.
And Valentin Barco found plenty of space on the left – at one point cutting in but firing straight at Andre Onana.
Top scorer Joao Pedro also saw an effort flash wide after a clever one-two with Lallana.
At the other end, Jason Steele had to be alert to keep out Alejandro Garnacho – and Scott McTominay saw an effort hit the side netting.
Albion almost scored in the second half. Gross clipped in a cross, Jakub Moder headed back across goal and Pedro blasted a shot goalward.
Somehow, a combination of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Bruno Fernandes cleared the ball off the line and, unlike in 2018, Craig Pawson’s watch didn’t signify a goal.
Lallana put the rebound over and that was pretty much his last activity in an Albion shirt before he was taken off to a great ovation and replaced by Julio Enciso.
Albion appeared to lose at little bit of shape after his departure and the chances diminished. Just after Webster had gone off for treatment and raced back on the pitch, Casemiro found Dalot who steered the past Steele to give the Reds a 1-0 lead.
Hojlund grabbed the second goal with just two minutes left and all that was left was De Zerbi’s speech about how sorry he was and how he loves the club and the area.
But despite all that, he said, it was time to leave … pastures new and all that!
