Proud boss Graham Potter felt Albion’s performance against Manchester United at the Amex deserved a reward.
Albion were on top for long spells and hit the woodwork five times, but were dealt a cruel late blow when Neal Maupay was penalised for a handball after a VAR check and Bruno Fernandes made it 3-2 to United with the last kick of the game.
Potter said, “We deserved something, that’s fair. Over the 90 minutes we were the better team – we had more shots and more chances, we hit the woodwork a few times.
“But that’s football. Sometimes it’s cruel, sometimes it’s unfair and we have to accept it as much as it’s painful.
“I thought we had scored with the last kick of the game [through Solly March]. I don’t know where the extra time in added time came from, but we’re bitterly disappointed to concede in the way that we have because it’s a cruel blow after what was a good performance from us.”
Despite the defeat, Potter was delighted with his team’s excellent display, as they dominated for long periods.
“I am so, so proud of the players for the performance they put in against a really good team. We played with courage and spirit,” he added. “I think we deserved something from the game – I would say that’s an understatement.”
As well as being denied five time by the woodwork, Aaron Connolly had a penalty overturned by VAR early in the second half after a coming together with Paul Pogba.
“From where I was, it looked like he got the other side of him and there was contact and then it’s up to the referee and VAR to make that decision,” added Potter. “It’s their call. We’re disappointed but in football sometimes you get those decisions, sometimes you don’t.”