Brighton & Hove Albion booked their place in the FA Cup fourth round with an impressive 2-1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford, as former Red Devil Danny Welbeck returned to haunt his old club with a decisive second-half goal, Softfootball reports.
United started the contest with intensity, pressing high and looking to assert themselves early. Bruno Fernandes was central to much of the early momentum, sliding Diogo Dalot in behind the Brighton defence inside the opening minutes, only for Jason Steele to react superbly and block the effort. Dalot later squandered another opening after a defensive mix-up, firing over when well placed.
Brighton weathered that early storm and struck with their first meaningful foray forward. Ferdi Kadıoğlu drove down the left flank before picking out Welbeck in the area. His delivery caused chaos, with Georginio Rutter’s close-range header initially kept out, but Brajan Gruda followed up to turn home the rebound and silence the home crowd.
The visitors grew in confidence from there, maintaining a compact shape while remaining dangerous on the counter. United continued to enjoy more of the ball, with Kobbie Mainoo finding space between the lines and Fernandes testing Steele from distance. Lisandro Martínez also ventured forward twice, but Brighton’s goalkeeper stood firm.
United came out after the interval with renewed purpose, pinning Brighton back for extended spells. Cunha and Šeško both went close, while Steele was forced into a series of saves as pressure mounted. Despite that, it was Brighton who struck again midway through the second half.
A neat exchange saw Joël Veltman’s forward pass collected by Gruda, who turned sharply and threaded Welbeck through on goal. The striker showed no mercy, smashing a powerful finish into the top corner to double Brighton’s lead against his former side.
United responded by committing even more bodies forward. Substitutes Joshua Zirkzee and Shea Lacey were introduced as the hosts chased the game, and their persistence eventually paid off. Fernandes’ corner found Šeško at the far post, and the forward powered home a header to give United hope late on.
Any chance of a dramatic comeback was short-lived, though. Lacey, already on a booking, was dismissed late on for a second yellow card, leaving United undermanned for the closing moments. Brighton managed the remainder of the game with composure, Steele confidently claiming crosses to see the tie out.
The result confirms another frustrating cup campaign for Manchester United, who had already exited the Carabao Cup earlier this season after a shock penalty defeat to League Two side Grimsby Town. With this FA Cup elimination, United now look set to end the campaign without silverware.
After the game, Brighton via its official X handle, shared the post match reactions of its players as they head into the dressing room after a fantastic performance on the night. They posted:
It also marked a reversal of fortunes from the league fixture earlier in the season, when United ran out 4-2 winners against Brighton. This time, however, Brighton were more clinical when it mattered, and Welbeck’s contribution ensured their progression at Old Trafford.
