AFCON 2025
Manchester United produced one of their most convincing performances of the season as they defeated Brighton & Hove Albion 4–2 at Old Trafford.
The result extended United’s winning run to three matches and lifted them into the Premier League’s top four. Matheus Cunha opened the scoring midway through the first half with a precise finish after combining with Casemiro.
Casemiro doubled the advantage ten minutes later when his deflected shot wrong-footed the Brighton goalkeeper. United dominated possession and intensity, moving the ball with confidence against a Brighton side that struggled to cope with their pressing.
After the break, Bryan Mbeumo added a third, finishing off a flowing team move to seemingly put the game beyond doubt. Brighton, however, refused to surrender and hit back through Danny Welbeck’s superb free-kick before substitute Charalampos Kostoulas bundled in a late header to set up a tense finish.
But in stoppage time, Mbeumo restored calm with his second goal, drilling high into the net to seal a deserved victory for Rúben Amorim’s improving side.
At the Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford stunned Liverpool 3–2 in a pulsating contest that deepened the champions’ recent troubles.
Dango Ouattara fired the hosts ahead inside five minutes after Liverpool failed to deal with a long throw, and Kevin Schade doubled the lead before half-time with a composed finish. Liverpool pulled one back through Milos Kerkez just before the interval, but Brentford’s energy and direct play continued to unsettle them.
Early in the second half, Igor Thiago converted from the penalty spot to make it 3–1, and although Mohamed Salah reduced the deficit late on, Brentford’s organisation and resilience ensured they claimed a famous win.
For Liverpool, it was a fourth straight league defeat and another worrying display at the back, while Brentford celebrated one of their most memorable results of the campaign.
