Brighton 1 United 0

The Video Assistant Referee spotted a handball by defender Luke Shaw deep into stoppage time and Mac Allister made no mistake to claim victory for the Seagulls with what was the final kick of the match.

United had the best of the first half, with Antony, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford all having opportunities to score, before Brighton got on top during the second period with David De Gea making good saves from Kaoru Mitoma and Mac Allister. 

With five games to play, the Reds remain four points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool and have a game in hand in the race for a top-four slot in the Premier League.

FIRST HALF: CLOSELY FOUGHT

Erik ten Hag’s men started the game on the front foot, launching a fast counter-attack in the opening minutes. Casemiro was quick to dispose former United forward Danny Welbeck of possession and the Brazilian perfectly linked up with fellow midfielders Fred and Bruno Fernandes, before the latter threaded a wonderful pass to Antony, who missed the target with his effort.

The home side responded with a quick break of their own. Mitoma quickly intercepted Victor Lindelof’s short pass and bared down on goal. His shot caught De Gea straight in the face, and the Spanish shotstopper required lengthy treatment before resuming play.

After Bruno blazed over from the edge of the box, Mitoma had a second chance to test De Gea’s goal minutes later. The Seagulls managed to work the ball from the right-hand side of the pitch to the left and Mitoma was able to twist and turn away from Aaron Wan-Bissaka, before his shot crept just past the far post, with our keeper watching on.

United enjoyed our best spell between the 15th and 25th minutes, as Rashford tested Jason Steele and Antony hit the side netting.

Luke Shaw and Fernandes then worked a short corner, before whipping a deep cross into the penalty area, which Casemiro headed just over.

Rashford turned and broke away from auxiliary Seagulls' full-back Moises Caicedo and attempted to blast the ball with his left foot, but Steele again denied him. The resulting corner found Antony on the edge of the area and, although our no.21's attempt was scuffed, Steele almost parried it out to the lurking Martial.

Midway through the half, Brighton managed to regain a foothold and started to test De Gea’s goal again. World Cup winner Mac Allister’s long-range strike had the Spaniard rooted to the spot, but it flew wide of the far post. Julio Enciso then managed to break away but he also lashed one wide in what was becoming a really entertaining match-up.

As the half came to a close, United had arguably our biggest chance to take the lead.

The Reds worked the ball around the pitch and Fred was able to send Martial through on goal, via a nifty one-two. The Frenchman hit right through his shot but Steele once again stood tall to force the corner.

SECOND HALF: LATE HEARTBREAK

The Reds found space behind the Brighton defence early in the second half, with Rashford able to break away with speed. He thought he could have had a penalty after Moises Caicedo placed his arm across his chest, but referee Andre Marriner was unmoved.

Mitoma continued to cause problems but Brighton couldn’t get the finish right: he sent a delicate chip straight into De Gea’s arms, while Welbeck’s shot from the Japanese winger’s low cross missed the target.

For long periods, United struggled to build a head of steam but Fernandes and Casemiro registered efforts on goal in quick succession: the Portuguese playmaker’s curler from the edge of the box was palmed away by Steele, while our Brazilian midfielder’s header was inches over the crossbar.

As passions flared on the south coast, with Antony and Lewis Dunk both booked after a coming-together, the hosts raised their game. Substitute Solly March was unlucky to see his shot roll wide of the target, before De Gea had to tip Mac Allister’s driven sighter out for a corner.

The officials signalled five minutes of added time and the Reds looked to be edging over the line towards a well-earned point when Marriner awarded the Seagulls a free-kick for Shaw’s foul on Enciso.

From the resulting corner, Mitoma and Caicedo had chances, blocked by Fernandes and De Gea respectively, but, just as the Reds looked to have seen the game out, the referee was being called over to the sidelines to check the VAR monitor.

Shaw had inadvertently handled the ball as it was delivered into the area, and – after minutes of waiting - Mac Allister thumped the penalty into the top corner to win the game for the home side.

MATCH DETAILS

United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Shaw, Dalot; Casemiro, Fred (Sabitzer 76); Antony (Sancho 76), Fernandes (c), Rashford; Martial (Weghorst 84).

Subs not used: Butland, Maguire, Malacia, Williams, Eriksen, Pellistri.

Booked: Casemiro, Dalot, Antony.

Brighton: Steele; Caicedo, Webster, Dunk (c), Estupinan; Mac Allister, Gilmour (Colwill 75); Buonanotte (March 62), Enciso, Mitoma; Welbeck (Undav 75).

Subs not used: Sanchez, Ayari, van Hecke, Offiah, Moran, Peupion.

Goalscorer: Mac Allister 90+9.

Booked: Webster, Dunk, Colwill, Caicedo.