Brighton 1-0 Manchester United: Late Alexis Mac Allister penalty sinks Red Devils on the South Coast

Brighton claimed a dramatic win over Manchester United as Alexis Mac Allister’s 99th-minute penalty earned the hosts a much-deserved 1-0 victory that moved them above Aston Villa and Tottenham into sixth in the Premier League.

The Seagulls were beaten by United on penalties in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, but got revenge in fitting fashion thanks to the late spot kick that was flagged by VAR.

Erik ten Hag’s side had the chance to move third and tighten their grip on a top-four finish, but they were outplayed for large periods of the game, especially in the second half, and can have no complaints with the final result that will have them looking over their shoulders at Liverpool.

The action at the Amex Stadium started at a frantic pace, with both sides creating great chances within the first five minutes. Bruno Fernandes played a simple pass that cut open the Brighton defence and sent Antony through on goal, only for the Brazilian to drag his shot wide.

Minutes later and the hosts should have been ahead. Kaoru Mitoma latched onto a sloppy pass from Victor Lindelof but took the wrong option when bearing down on goal, opting to go himself and smashing it straight at David De Gea.

Up the other end, Jason Steele lived up to his name in the Brighton goal, denying Marcus Rashford brilliantly at his near post in the 28th minute, and Anthony Martial from an almost identical position 10 minutes later as a pulsating first half came to an end.

The second period started as the first ended, with Mitoma causing all sorts of problems. Brighton continued to assert their dominance but failed to find that extra bit of quality in the final third and looked destined to share the spoils with their FA Cup conquerors until Shaw’s late error handed them the chance to snatch all three points.

Mac Allister stepped up and finished with aplomb, smashing it into the top corner and giving De Gea absolutely no chance.

It will have been a bitter pill to swallow for the visitors, who will look to bounce back when they travel to West Ham next. Roberto De Zerbi’s side welcome struggling Everton on Monday night as they look to close the gap on the top five.

TALKING POINT – BRIGHTON HURT UNITED’S TOP-FOUR HOPES

United have held a firm grasp on the top four for most of the season but one win in their last three has upped the pressure on Ten Hag’s men with just five games to go. They have a tricky run-in, with both Chelsea and Arsenal to play, so it’s far from a formality that they will secure Champions League football next season.

For Brighton, their sights will now be set on Liverpool in fifth. The Seagulls are five points behind Jurgen Klopp’s side but have two games in hand and a great chance to make it three wins on the bounce against Everton next time out.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER

There were a few standout Brighton performers, Mitoma and Julio Enciso in particular, but stepping up in the 99th minute and slotting a spot kick like that takes guts. Mac Allister showed no signs of nerves as he sent the Brighton faithful wild and secured a huge three points.

The world Cup winner was a bright spark throughout the game and went close in the first half with a long-range effort and in the 90th minute with a first-time strike that was brilliantly saved by De Gea.

PLAYER RATINGS

BRIGHTON: Steele (8), Webster (7), Dunk (7), Buonanotte (6), Caicedo (6), Gilmour (6), Estupinan (7), Enciso (8), Mac Allister (8), Mitoma (8), Welbeck (6). SUBS: Colwill (5), March (6), Undav (5).

MAN UTD: De Gea (7), Wan-Bissaka (5), Lindelof (5), Shaw (5), Dalot (5), Casemiro (6), Fred (5), Antony (6), Fernandes (6), Rashford (6), Martial (4). SUBS: Sabitzer (4), Sancho (4), Weghorst (4).

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

2′ – CHANCE: Rashford plays a first-time through ball that Martial almost gets on the end of. An early warning sign for Brighton. Moments later, Fernandes feeds Antony through on goal but the Brazilian drags his shot wide. He should have at least hit the target.

4′ – WHAT A STOP: What a start we’ve had here. Mitoma latches onto a loose pass from Lindelof and he’s clean through on goal. He goes for power but De Gea stays big and saves the shot with his face. A sore one for the Spaniard but worth it to keep the Seagulls out.

13′ – JUST WIDE: Brighton come forward now, working the ball from right to left and into Mitoma, who cuts in and beats Wan-Bissaka before firing a shot just past the far post.

28′ – SAVE: Signs that Man Utd are starting to find their rhythm. A lovely move that starts in their half is nearly finished by Rashford, who uses Martial as a decoy to skip past Dunk and fizz a low shot on target that is well saved by Steele.

86′ – JUST WIDE: Back come Brighton. March cuts in from the right and fires an effort goalward that flashes past the post.

90′ – WHAT A SAVE: This is backs to the wall stuff for United. Mac Allister fires a first-time shot that looks destined for the bottom corner but De Gea makes a brilliant late save. From the corner, Dunk flashes a header just over the bar from close range.

90+5′ – LATE DRAMA: United deal with the initial corner well but the ball falls for Mitoma, who curls a shot from outside the box that is well blocked by Fernandes. The visitors eventually clear the danger but there’s a VAR check for handball. Andre Marriner has been summoned to the monitor to have a look, which usually only means one thing…

90+7′ – PENALTY BRIGHTON: Shaw has been adjudged to have handled the ball. The hosts have a chance to win it at the death. Incredible scenes.

90+9′ – GOAL! MAC ALLISTER WINS IT FOR BRIGHTON: What a way to win it. Mac Allister steps up and smashes the spot kick into the top corner. De Gea had no chance. It’s no more than Brighton deserve. 1-0!

KEY STATS

Alexis Mac Allister’s penalty for Brighton was the latest penalty scored in a Premier League game (98:16) since Bruno Fernandes scored for Manchester United against Brighton in this exact fixture in September 2020 (99:45).