'The point is to score, not hit the crossbar' Bruno Fernandes has little sympathy for Brighton

Match-winner Bruno Fernandes had little sympathy for Brighton after a painful and harsh 3-2 loss to Manchester United at the Amex Stadium.
Mnachester United matchwinner Bruno Fernandes celebrates at the Amex StadiumMnachester United matchwinner Bruno Fernandes celebrates at the Amex Stadium
Mnachester United matchwinner Bruno Fernandes celebrates at the Amex Stadium

Fernandes slotted home a penalty deep in injury time to hand all three points to United in a match where Brighton hit the woodwork five times and also had a penalty controversially overturned after Paul Pogba brought down Aaron Connolly in the box.

Brighton's Leandro Trossard hit the post on three separate occasions, while an Adam Webster header and Solly March's second half effort also came back off the post.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"It was a difficult game," said Fernandes. "We left so much space for them to play and weren’t as aggressive as we want (to be).

"We gave away two goals and can do so much better.

“Brighton did very well. Everyone can say they deserved more, but the point is to score more goals, not hit the crossbar or post.”

Trossard, who was excellent throughout, was particularly hard done by on the day. The Belgian saw his sharp turn and shot smack David de Gea's post and moments later Trossard's low shot from a similar distance then came back off the opposite post.

His 'hat-trick'came earlier into the second half when his angled drive had the United keeper beaten, but once again he was denied by the frame. Trossard also hit the post last Sunday at Newcastle during the 3-0 win.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Unbelievable, the feeling I can't describe," said Trossard. "We were the better team today. We deserved at least a point, it's a shame. There were five minutes added on and we played at least seven.

"Sometimes it's just not your day."

Albion looked to have secured a point they more than merited when March cancelled out Marcus Rashford’s fine solo effort.

But, after players from both teams surrounded match official Kavanagh during a remarkable ending to the game, Fernandes was the calmest man in the stadium as he confidently dispatched the ball from 12 yards.

Frenchman Maupay had earlier cheekily chipped Brigthon ahead from a 40th-minute penalty – his third goal in two games – following Fernandes’ foul on Tariq Lamptey.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Lewis Dunk’s fifth Premier League own goal levelled matters just 194 seconds later.

Potter, whose side host United again in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Wednesday, was unsure why so much additional time was played.

“It was a bit of rollercoaster, to say the least," said the Albion head coach. "A fantastic performance from us, we did so much well and played with real courage, real quality,” he said.

“Obviously, very, very sore to lose. We had such a high in terms of when we scored our equaliser because I felt we deserved that.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The emotion at that moment, we felt we scored on the last kick.

“There couldn’t have been much time left and, I don’t know, the referees are responsible for the time, that’s their job.

“From our perspective, we are just very disappointed.”