Brighton 1-0 Manchester United: What Were The Main Talking Points As Mac Allister Clinches A Stunning Last-Gasp Winner At The Amex?

In what was a rollercoaster affair from the Amex on Thursday night, Brighton extended on their famous European charge as they snatched a remarkable last-gasp 1-0 victory against Manchester United.

Despite suffering FA Cup semi-final heartbreak at the hands of United on April 24th, Roberto De Zerbi’s men claimed some well-deserved revenge here as midfield talisman Alexis Mac Allister bagged a stunning 99th-minute penalty following Luke Shaw’s handball in the final few seconds.

Although the Seagulls might have eventually racked up all three points with the final kick of the game, Brighton were a more than-deserved winner here and they certainly deserve all of the plaudits that will come their way.

Now winning each of their last three consecutive Premier League meetings against the former champions, Brighton also cashed in on a Manchester United squad who have continued to show some recent domestic issues away from Old Trafford.

Still without the defensive partnership of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane as they traveled to the Amex, Erik ten Hag’s men largely failed to find much fluidity in the final third here and they have now won just one of their previous six away fixtures within 90 minutes.

On a night where Brighton took a huge stride towards booking an emotional European spot, we have taken a look at the main talking points from Thursday’s lively Premier League battle.

The De Zerbi train isn’t showing any signs of slowing down

While many around the Amex might have been saddened to see Graham Potter head to Chelsea back in September, the Seagulls have only gone from strength to strength since they welcomed De Zerbi to the Amex as Potter’s permanent replacement.

Although it might be United’s latest second-half collapse that will steal most of the headlines, it is extremely hard to argue that Brighton were not deserving of a victory that could all bit clinch a famous European spot.

While Thursday’s hosts might have been left stunned on April 26th as they suffered a 3-1 loss away at relegation scrappers Nottingham Forest, they have certainly proven that performance was nothing more than a minor blip on their otherwise impeccable record.

Only continuing to shine on either side of March’s international break, the one-time Sassuolo boss has seen his high-flying squad break into the top-six and they still hold at least a game in hand over the teams around them.

Heading into Thursday’s season-defining showdown after hitting a lackluster Wolves for six on home soil last weekend, Brighton will be looking to make another statement when they welcome a struggling Everton to town on Monday evening.

Brighton should receive a fortune for Mac Allister

While the likes of Moises Caicedo and Kaoru Mitoma might have continued to spearhead Brighton’s iconic European charge this season, there is no doubt that their World Cup winner has been the poster boy of the Seagulls’ success.

Blasting home from the spot with virtually the final kick of the game and sending the Amex support into overdrive, Brighton have made it crystal clear that they’re willing to move mountains in an attempt to keep Mac Allister on the south coast.

However, putting in another dominant display on Thursday night and quickly transforming into one of the Premier League’s standout midfield stars, it appears that De Zerbi’s side have accepted that the 24-year-old is set for a new challenge this summer.

Making real history out in Qatar over the winter as the ex-Bocca Juniors starlet helped guide Argentina to a first world crown since 1980, Mac Allister has nine Premier League goals this season and Brighton’s talisman has a string of admirers.

Along with continued links over a potential move to Old Trafford, The Times reported earlier in the day that Liverpool have Mac Allister at the top of their summer wishlist.

Ten’s hag’s headache away from Old Trafford

While Manchester United might have handed Brighton FA Cup semi-final heartbreak last month, ten Hag’s side would have been more than aware that they faced a huge challenge when they traveled to the Amex on Thursday night.

Although the Premier League giants might still find themselves sat firmly in pole position to claim an essential top-four return this season, the former Ajax boss will have a growing headache over his side’s extended issues away from Old Trafford.

Although the midweek guests might have eventually edged past Brighton at Wembley following a nail-biting penalty shootout, the Red Devils have managed to win just one of their previous six away appearances within 90 minutes.

Coming under a huge amount of scrutiny on April 20th as they watched their Europa League adventure come to an abrupt end following a 3-0 drumming away at Sevilla, the top-four contenders will still know that they have some work to do.

Without much time to feel sorry for themselves, United will be next seen on their travels when they travel to the capital on Sunday night.

Set to meet a West Ham side that are still fighting for their Premier League status at the foot of the table, ten Hag will know that finding some much-needed stability over the final few weeks is crucial.

Match Report

Brighton: Steel, Caicedo, Dunk, Webster, Estupinan, Gilmour, Mac Allister, Buonanotte, Enciso, Mitoma, Welbeck

Subs: Colwill, Marsh, Undav

Manchester United: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Shaw, Dalot, Fred, Casemiro, Antony, Fernandes, Rashford, Martial

Subs: Weghorst, Sancho, Sabitzer

Goals: Mac Allister (90+9’ P)

Yellow Cards: Brighton: Caicedo, Dunk, Webster, Colwill – Manchester United: Dalot, Shaw, Antony, Casemiro

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Andre Marriner