Brighton came back from two goals down to beat Manchester United 3-2 at Old Trafford and eliminate them from the Carabao Cup in the third round.
United looked set for a comfortable win after racing into a 2-0 lead inside the opening 10 minutes, but Brighton responded with three unanswered goals to complete a stunning comeback. Teenager Shea Lacey opened the scoring in the eighth minute on his first start for United.
The academy graduate received the ball from Youri Tielemans on the right side of the box, cut inside and fired into the corner to give United an early lead.
Lacey also became the first teenager to score on his first start for United since Marcus Rashford did so against FC Midtjylland in February 2016.
United doubled their lead two minutes later when Mason Mount followed up after Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele saved Marcus Rashford’s effort, reacting quickest to the rebound to make it 2-0.
Brighton pulled one back in first-half stoppage time through Charalampos Kostoulas, who headed in Jaouen Hadjam’s cross in the 46th minute.
The visitors completed the comeback after the break, with Pascal Gross equalising in the 65th minute before substitute Maxim De Cuyper put Brighton ahead four minutes later. De Cuyper, introduced moments earlier, finished from Kostoulas’ cross to complete the turnaround.
The defeat ended a remarkable Manchester United record at Old Trafford. United had not previously lost at home after taking a two-goal lead since September 1976, when they were beaten 3-2 by Tottenham Hotspur.
Brighton also continued their impressive record at Old Trafford, winning five of their last six visits to United in all competitions.
The Seagulls finished with 18 shots to United’s 11, including five on target compared to United’s four. They also had 14 shots from inside the box, while United managed five.
Possession was evenly split at 50 per cent, but Brighton created five big chances compared to United’s one and recorded an expected goals figure of 2.15, more than double United’s 1.04.
The victory sends Brighton into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, while United suffer another early exit from the competition.
