Club news

Five Key Moments: Manchester United

By Alex Stedman • 18 March 2018

Brighton & Hove Albion exited the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday evening, falling to a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The Seagulls created chances throughout but couldn’t convert – we’ve picked out five key moments from the contest in the north-west.

HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

Albion’s first clear chance on goal came just after the half-hour mark – as Lewis Dunk’s header from Pascal Gross’s corner was saved by Sergio Romero in the home goal.

The central defender met a trademark pinpoint delivery from the German – but unlike a fortnight earlier against Arsenal, the academy product failed to find the net with what was a good opportunity.

PIVOTAL OPENER

Romelu Lukaku was clinical with his header at the other end of the field six minutes after Dunk’s opportunity.

The striker peeled away from the English centre-half at the back post and met Nemanja Matic’s deep cross to nod past Tim Krul in the Albion goal and give the hosts a lead before the break that would prove pivotal. 

ALBION’S RALLY

The Seagulls began the second period in positive fashion, seemingly undeterred by falling behind before the interval.

Gross ended a free-flowing move forward by driving narrowly wide of Romero’s right-hand post six minutes after the restart, before Jurgen Locadia turned smartly and drew Romero into a fingertip save to thwart the Dutchman’s powerful effort.

INTRODUCING IZQUIERDO

The introduction of Jose Izquierdo for the impressive Solly March gave Albion some much-needed fresh legs, with the Colombian soon getting some joy out of Antonio Valencia. 

Izquierdo got in-behind his fellow South American within a minute of entering the field before being snuffed put, and then saw a twisting run on the edge of the area blocked as he took aim at goal.

DECISIVE SECOND 

But as Chris Hughton’s side continued to press and probe for an equaliser, they were caught at the other end of the field when they failed to deal with another cross into the area. 

This time it was Ashley Young who floated the ball in from the left-hand side, and Matic was on hand to nod home and put the Red Devils into the last four of the competition.