BRIGHTON — Brighton & Hove Albion's new manager Fabian Hürzeler said he was proud of his team's never-say-die display after they beat Manchester United 2-1 on Saturday with a winning goal in stoppage time.
Brighton came into their first Premier League home game of the season as the table toppers and almost found themselves 2-1 down before United had their second goal chalked off for offside.
A late touch from Joshua Zirkzee in an offside position rules out a potential go-ahead goal for Manchester United. #MyPLMorning
Peacock pic.twitter.com/C6UcKwpTcW— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 24, 2024
With a draw in the cards in the pouring rain at the Amex, Joao Pedro scored in the fifth minute of added time to give the south-coast club all three points as the 31-year-old Hürzeler celebrated fervently in the dugout to get the crowd roaring.
Joao Pedro comes up with a HUGE late goal to snatch the lead for Brighton. #MyPLMorning
Peacock pic.twitter.com/n7o4syO0kM— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 24, 2024
"It was very emotional, always when you get the win in the last minute, it is. I think we deserved to win, we had a good game not a perfect game. There were also situations where United had the chance to win the game," the manager from Houston, Texas, told the BBC.
"I'm very proud of the team, they showed the value of never giving up and that's very important to me.
"I think the first half was equal and then in the second half we started to control the game quite well. We had a lot of chances, especially in the second half."
100 club goals for Danny Welbeck!
He breaks the century mark to give Brighton the lead at the Amex. #MyPLMorningPeacock pic.twitter.com/mpGz5j4mCm
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 24, 2024
Brighton looked in control until United scored the equalizer through Amad Diallo, after which Erik ten Hag's side controlled proceedings.
Amad Diallo’s shot takes a deflection to equalize for Manchester United! #MyPLMorning
Peacock pic.twitter.com/zD6QUscL6L— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 24, 2024
But Hürzeler made proactive changes with Simon Adingra coming on late and providing the assist for the game-winning goal less than five minutes later as Brighton stayed top with six points.
"Their goal, for me, was from out of nowhere. I then didn't like the losing the control. After their offside goal I think we started to control the game again. In the end, I think we deserved to win," the American manager added.
"I think Joao is a player who can decide the game with one action. For me it was impressive today how he worked against the ball. He had the belief he would score and that's something that makes him special.
"But in the end it's always a team win and that's most important."
All hail Brighton. The 31-year-old boy-wonder manager Fabian Hurzeler downs Manchester United to maintain a stunning perfect start. His Seagulls, ferocious, audacious, & filled with collective swagger. Looking United in the eye & clipping them with a 95th-minute goal, reinforcing… pic.twitter.com/XX6i9K55oo
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) August 24, 2024
(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; editing by Clare Fallon)
