FOOTBALL – Manchester United suffered a dramatic English League Cup exit at Old Trafford after Brighton came from two goals down to secure a 3-2 victory and reach the fourth round.
Everton, Fleetwood and Aston Villa also progressed into the next round after beating their respective rivals.
Maxim De Cuyper scored the third and game-winning goal for Brighton in the 69th minute.
United made a flying start at Old Trafford, racing into a two-goal lead inside the opening 10 minutes before Brighton staged a remarkable comeback to turn the tie on their head.
The hosts needed just eight minutes to break the deadlock.
Shea Lacey found the back of the net after being set up by Youri Tielemans, giving United an early advantage and putting Brighton on the back foot.
United doubled their lead only two minutes later.
Mason Mount struck in the 10th minute to make it 2-0, leaving Brighton with a mountain to climb so early in the contest.
However, the visitors refused to allow the game to slip away.
Brighton gradually grew into the match and were rewarded for their persistence in first-half stoppage time.
Charalampos Kostoulas pulled one back in the 45th minute, giving his side renewed hope heading into the interval.
That goal proved to be the turning point.
Brighton returned for the second half with greater attacking intent and continued to put pressure on a United side that had appeared comfortable during the opening stages.
Their efforts paid off in the 65th minute when Pascal Grob found the equaliser, completing Brighton’s recovery from two goals down and setting up a tense final period at Old Trafford.
The momentum was now firmly with the visitors, and Brighton completed the turnaround just five minutes later.
De Cuyper scored in the 69th minute to put Brighton ahead for the first time, transforming a two-goal deficit into a stunning 3-2 lead.
United were unable to find a response during the closing stages as Brighton defended their advantage and secured a memorable victory away from home.
The result sends Brighton through to the Round of 16, while United’s campaign in the competition comes to an abrupt end.
Wolverhampton Wanderers were left with more than a third-round defeat to digest after a late 1-0 loss to Everton raised fresh concerns over the fitness of striker Raul Jimenez ahead of Sunday’s Black Country derby.
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