Brighton secured another famous victory over Manchester United with a 3-2 success that piles early-season pressure on Jose Mourinho.
Chris Hughton's side struck two in two minutes midway through the first half as Glenn Murray capped his 200th league appearance for the Seagulls with a clever finish before Shane Duffy flashed home after the visitors failed to clear a corner.
Glenn Murray of Brighton and Hove Albion scores his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United at American Express Community Stadium on August 19, 2018 in Brighton, United Kingdom.
Image credit: Getty Images
Romelu Lakaku pulled one back with a close-range header, but Pascal Gross restored the hosts' two-goal cushion on the stroke of half-time with a penalty.
United improved slightly after the interval and Paul Pogba lashed home a stoppage-time spot kick, but it couldn't deny Brighton a first league win of the season and their third on the spin against the Red Devils on home turf.
Glenn Murray of Brighton and Hove Albion celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United at American Express Community Stadium on August 19, 2018 in Brighto
Image credit: Getty Images
It was a torrid day for Mourinho and Co, who now face a long week of questions and negative press before they host Tottenham on Monday August 27.
Brighton produced the perfect response to their disappointing loss at Watford and will now head to Liverpool next Saturday with renewed confidence.
TALKING POINT
Mourinho needs to look at himself - and avoid the dreaded third season syndrome. The United boss has criticised his club's lack of activity in recruiting the defensive reinforcements he was after, feuded with Paul Pogba and taken swipes at rivals Liverpool and Manchester City. It seems the Portuguese is doing everything to deflect attention away from the what is the reality; that he is feeling the pressure and has concerns over being able to challenge for the major prizes.
Jose Mourinho, Manager of Manchester United reacts as Brighton and Hove Albion are awarded a penalty during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United at American Express Community Stadium on August 19, 2018 in Brighton,
Image credit: Getty Images
On this evidence, he obviously has a point about his defence and the fact he wanted new additions, but the bigger picture is that his whole demeanour doesn't seem right. It's Jose's third season at the helm and it's no secret there is a pattern that suggests this is where it often goes wrong for the self-styled 'Special One.' The signs don't look good for Mourinho and he needs to regroup and stop creating headlines. It's still very early days but he should enjoy the fact he's manager of such a huge club and settle down - or risk imploding.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Glenn Murray (Brighton). The forward epitomised the Brighton way, working tirelessly for the cause and making life difficult for United's nervy defenders. Capped a landmark appearance with a delightful opener.
Glenn Murray of Brighton and Hove Albion celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United at American Express Community Stadium on August 19, 2018 in Brighton, United Kingd
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS
BRIGHTON: Ryan 7, Montoya 7, Dunk 6, Duffy 7, Bong 7, Propper 7, Stephens 7, Gross 7, March 7, Knockaert 7, Murray 8. Subs: Balogun 7, Kayal n/a, Locadia n/a.
MAN UNITED: De Gea 6, Young 6, Lindelof 5, Bailly 5, Shaw 5, Pereira 6, Fred 5, Pogba 6, Martial 5, Mata 5, Lukaku 6. Subs: Lingard 6, Rashford 6, Fellaini 5.
KEY MOMENTS
25' - GOAL! Brighton 1-0 Man United. Murray applies a delightful near post flick to March's low ball in from the left to give the hosts the advantage.
27' - GOAL! Brighton 2-0 Man United. It's two! United fail to deal with a left-wing corner. It's delivered back in low and eventually drops for Duffy who fires into the corner.
Shane Duffy of Brighton and Hove Albion celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United at American Express Community Stadium on August 19, 2018 in Brighton, United King
Image credit: Getty Images
34' - GOAL! Brighton 2-1 Man United. The Red Devils are back in it! Lukaku nods home from close range after Shaw had stabbed a right-wing corner back into the danger zone.
44' - GOAL! Brighton 3-1 Man United. Gross picks himself up after being tumbled by Bailly and fires his spot kick down the middle via the boot of De Gea. It's fortunate that it goes in, but he won't care. Brighton restore their two-goal cushion.
75' - MAN UNITED CHANCE. Ryan dives to his right and gets a big right hand on Pogba's curving strike from 25 yards out.
90+5'! GOAL! Brighton 3-2 Man United. Pogba races up and lashes the penalty high into the net with Ryan diving the opposite way. The spot kick was awarded after Duffy crashed into Fellaini in the area.
KEY STATS
There were just two minutes and 23 seconds between Glenn Murray opening the scoring, and Shane Duffy making it 2-0 to Brighton against Manchester United.
Lukaku has now scored against 18 of the current 20 Premier League teams, with Cardiff and Wolves the only teams he is yet to find the net against.
This was only the 10th time in Premier League history that Manchester United conceded three first half goals in a game, and the first time since October 2015 v Arsenal.
All eight of Pascal Gross’ PL goals have been scored at home, including two against Man Utd.
In competitive games since the start of the 2018 World Cup, David de Gea has conceded 10 goals from his last 14 shots on target faced for Manchester United and Spain combined.
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