Man United vs Brighton produced a stunning turnaround Tuesday, as Brighton came from two goals down to beat Manchester United 3:2 at Old Trafford, eliminating United from the English League Cup, according to the English Football League match report.
New manager Michael Carrick named several changes, and 19-year-old Shea Lacey made his first senior start for Manchester United, converting a fast break in the eighth minute to open the scoring, the EFL match report said. Two minutes later, Mason Mount followed up on a goalkeeper parry to make it 2:0 inside 10 minutes and send the Old Trafford crowd into delirium.
Brighton, coached by Fabian H FCrzeler, regrouped and began to seize control of midfield late in the first half. In first-half stoppage time, Charalampos Kostoulas finished from inside the area to make it 2:1, setting the stage for a second-half comeback, the EFL match report said.
The second half saw United’s defensive organization unravel. In the 65th minute, a misplaced clearance from United allowed Brighton captain Pascal Gro df to intercept outside the box and fire a long-range shot into the net, leveling the score at 2:2, according to the EFL match report.
Minutes later, Brighton substitute Maxim De Cuyper drove down the left, cut inside past defenders, and struck a low shot that beat the goalkeeper to complete a 3:2 turnaround inside a five minute span, the match report said. Brighton scored three unanswered goals to win 3:2, handing United a shock elimination from the cup.
When the final whistle sounded, boos rang out across Old Trafford. According to Manchester United club records, this is the club’s first home loss after leading by two goals since 1984, a 42 year mark that underlines the scale of the defeat.
Man United vs Brighton will intensify scrutiny of Carrick’s tenure, with United sitting 13th with four points after four Premier League matches, according to the Premier League table. Brighton remain in the Premier League top five, the table shows, and the result reinforced their reputation as one of the season’s most dangerous dark horse teams.
Match details and minute-by-minute action are available from the English Football League match report, and league standings can be checked on the Premier League website.