PASCAL IS INCH PERFECT
Seagulls cross the line to secure top-flight status
PASCAL GROSS ensured Brighton’s Premier League survival last night by the narrowest of margins.
The Brighton midfielder headed Chris Hughton’s side into a 57th-minute lead after connecting with Jose Izquierdo’s cross.
His effort was cleared from under the bar by Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo and it took goal-line technology to confirm that Gross’ effort had crossed the line by a little more than an inch.
Up to that point Brighton had bossed long periods of the game, but were denied by a succession of outstanding saves by United keeper David De Gea.
United arrived at the Amex Stadium knowing a win would leave them needing one point to guarantee the runners-up spot and the club’s highest finish since Sir Alex Ferguson quit in 2013.
But Jose Mourinho’s side failure to come to terms with a Seagulls team looking for a first win in seven league games left the United boss fuming.
Hughton’s men are scheduled to wrap up their campaign with daunting trips to Liverpool and Manchester City.
Seagulls striker Glenn Murray admitted before the game that Albion regarded this clash as their best chance of adding to their points haul.
But they were handed an immediate reality check when Mourinho’s men carved them open after three minutes.
Marouane Fellaini diverted Marcus Rashford’s free-kick past keeper Mat Ryan but the Belgian had strayed offside before making contact. Brighton survived, but they had received an early warning, particularly in the way Rashford wrong-footed Shane Duffy to draw the foul.
The England striker was handed his chance because of an ankle injury to Romelu Lukaku, while fellow forward Alexis Sanchez was rested.
It was only Rashford’s third start since the start of the year and he was desperate to make an impression.
But after that lightning start, the United front men got few chances to shine as Brighton responded impressively.
And when Rashford fluffed his lines after a rare opening in the Albion box, Mourinho made it clear he was unimpressed.
Albion wingers Izquierdo and Anthony Knockaert looked to be in the mood. But it was midfielder Dale Stephens who fired the first shot, before Gross drew a save from De Gea.
It quickly became clear the United keeper was the biggest barrier to the home side taking a first-half lead.
The Spaniard produced a stunning one-handed save to deny Murray’s 25-yarder.
And he was again forced to extend himself to tip Izquierdo’s dipping drive over the bar.
Hughton’s side may have failed to win their last six league games, but there was a definite swagger to their first-half display.
The visitors struggled to find any fluency, with two hopelessly misplaced Paul Pogba passes shortly before the break summing up their problems.
Pogba started the second half more positively as an early snapshot forced Ryan into a low save. United stepped up the pace after Gross’ header but they continued to labour in the final third.