Joao Pedro’s late header secures 2-1 victory for Brighton over Man Utd

Brighton’s Brazilian striker Joao Pedro scored a dramatic 95th-minute header to seal a 2-1 victory over Manchester United in the English Premier League on August 24, 2024, at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton.

The victory marked a successful home debut for Brighton’s 31-year-old manager, Fabian Hurzeler.

Danny Welbeck opened the scoring for Brighton in the first half, but Manchester United managed to equalize when Amad Diallo’s deflected shot found the net.

United nearly took the lead when Alejandro Garnacho’s effort appeared destined for goal, but it was disallowed as teammate Joshua Zirkzee, standing in an offside position, unintentionally interfered with the play.

In the dying moments of the match, Joao Pedro was left unmarked and headed in a cross from Simon Adingra, giving Brighton their second win in as many games under Hurzeler.

The defeat puts pressure on Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, who narrowly retained his job last season after finishing eighth in the league but winning the FA Cup. United now face a challenging fixture against Liverpool at Old Trafford next weekend.

The former Ajax coach got a much-needed 1-0 win against Fulham to open the season last weekend thanks to Zirkzee’s late winner.

But the performances in both United’s first two league matches of the new campaign have done little to suggest there will be a marked improvement from a dismal season in 2023/24.

Ten Hag kept faith with the side that started against Fulham with Zirkzee and Garnacho again only used as impact substitutes.

Brighton thrashed Everton 3-0 away in Hurzeler’s first match in charge and showed they will be a contender to get back into European football next season.

The Seagulls took the lead on 32 minutes when Harry Maguire failed to cut out a dangerous cross and Kaoru Mitoma rolled the ball back across goal for Welbeck to tap in for his 100th career goal.

Within seconds the visitors thought they were level when Marcus Rashford bundled in at the back post after Jason Steele brilliantly saved his initial effort.

However, the offside flag denied the England international.

Brighton flew out of the traps after the break but failed to build on their advantage.

James Milner had an effort cleared off the line by Diogo Dalot before Welbeck headed off the bar.

United had barely been in the Brighton half since the restart until Diallo drove forward, cut inside onto his left foot and found the net via a deflection off Jan Paul van Hecke.

Zirkzee had replaced Mason Mount at the break but after a hero’s debut the Dutchman was the villain for what should have been a second United goal.

In a blistering counter-attack, Diallo fed Bruno Fernandes and his low cross was fired goalwards by Garnacho.

However, the ball clipped Zirkzee’s knee on its way in and the forward was ruled offside after a VAR review.

That proved to be the turning point as it was Brighton who got the decisive third goal.

Questions will be asked of United’s defending as Pedro easily pulled away from Scott McTominay and Matthijs de Ligt to find the space to head back across Andre Onana into the far corner.