04 May 2023 , 22:19
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Revenge has rarely tasted sweeter for Brighton after the most dramatic finish at the Amex.
And defeat was such a bitter pill for Manchester United who might just be getting a bit twitchy about their top-four place.
It would still take one hell of a collapse for United to blow it but Liverpool are closing in.
The last gasp drama did not arrive until the 99th minute when Alexis Mac Allister smashed home an injury time penalty as VAR gave a penalty against Luke Shaw for handball.
Last month, it was Brighton who suffered heartbreak against United after losing a penalty shoot-out in the FA Cup semi final at Wembley.
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But this time, ironically again from the penalty spot, it was Brighton who got their own back as they made it three straight Premier League wins over United to keep their own European hopes alive.
And it was no wonder the whole stadium came to life with the finish because, despite the lack of goals, it had been an absolute thriller and one of the best 1-0s you are ever likely to see.
Plus some spice and drama as United winger Antony sparked an ugly bust-up after lashing out against Mac Allister.
Referee Andre Marriner struggled to control the game all night as he could not handle the ferocity and angry challenges as both teams went all out for the victory which so nearly eluded them.
The tackles were flying in, there is too much history between these two teams for there not to be an edge and yet it was Brighton’s raucous fans who deserved their celebrations at the end.
Mac Allister sweeps home his 99th-minute penalty (AFP via Getty Images)It was almost a carbon copy of that semi final a few weeks back because both teams had chances, Brighton were wasteful and United were denied by home keeper Jason Steele.
You could see the contrast between the managers at the final whistle as Roberto De Zerbi - who has been on his sick bed this week - ran onto the pitch to celebrate with the fans as victory was the perfect tonic.
But Erik ten Hag looked furious as his team threw it away in the closing stages, having had a lot of play but slowly they retreated deeper and deeper in the last ten minutes to allow Brighton to apply more and more pressure.
It was Kaoru Mitoma who was guilty of most missed chances for Brighton as the Japan winger would be one hell of a player if only he could finish.
Danny Welbeck, Mac Allister and others were close with efforts while Steele defied Marcus Rashford and Antony Martial with superb saves.
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The temperature was turned up when Antony got involved in an ugly bust-up, losing his cool and then kicking out at Mac Allister. Antony then tussled with Brighton’s Lewis Dunk and both were booked in the melee.
Brighton are dreaming of European football (AFP via Getty Images)United keeper David de Gea made a fabulous save from Mac Allister’s shot through a crowded box while Solly March - who missed the decisive penalty in the shoot-out - caused all sorts of problems after coming on.
But as the clock wound down into injury time, United looked to be about to be on the way home with a point after a cracking game.
That was until a last gasp Mac Allister corner, Mitoma saw his shot cleared off the line and then de Gea denied Moises Caicedo with a stunning save.
But VAR came to Brighton and Marriner’s rescue as TV replays showed Shaw had put up his arm into the air and handled it.
Mac Allister, a World Cup winner, stepped up, held his nerve and fired the Brighton fans into dreamland.