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SEAGULLS FLYING HIGH

Brighton and Hove Albion 3-2 Manchester United: Chris Hughton’s men secure convincing win over Red Devils to pile pressure on Jose Mourinho

United were completely all over the place at the back and were duly punished for it

Jose Mourinho will be surely feeling the heat after he watched his Manchester United side slip to a disappointing defeat at Brighton and Hove Albion.

Two first half goals in as many minutes from Glenn Murray and Shane Duffy put the Seagulls in dreamland at the Amex Stadium.

 Shane Duffy celebrates scoring Brighton's second of the game
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Shane Duffy celebrates scoring Brighton's second of the game

However, Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku continued his World Cup form by heading in a simple chance to give the Red Devils a glimmer of hope.

But the game was wrapped up for the hosts when Eric Bailly inexplicably fouled Pascal Gross, who stepped up to drill his penalty past David De Gea.

United welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Old Trafford a week on Monday, with Mourinho knowing questions about his future will only intensify after this disappointing performance.

The game began in a comfortable fashion for United, with Fred and Paul Pogba getting lots of possession in midfield ares, without failing to threaten Mat Ryan in the Brighton goal.

 Jose Mourinho cut a frustrated figure on the United touchline
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Jose Mourinho cut a frustrated figure on the United touchline

Indeed, it was an uncharacteristic mistake from skipper Lewis Dunk which gifted possession to Pogba who fed Lukaku - but the former Chelsea man dragged his effort wide.

Buoyed by the let off, the hosts took the lead ten minutes later when Gaetan Bong fed Solly March in acres of space down the United right-hand side.

He drilled the ball in to great effect to Glenn Murray, who dinked the ball over De Gea with aplomb.

Clearly stunned by the setback, the visitors switched off at a corner and Shane Duffy pounced in the second phase; controlling a wild short to perfection before finishing himself.

 Lukaku picked up where he left off from the World Cup to nod home
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Lukaku picked up where he left off from the World Cup to nod home

Mourinho's men got back in the game when Luke Shaw lofted a ball into United's No.9, who was left with so much time and space to head home after the Seagulls failed to get out from the back.

With a foothold in the game, it seemed as though the visitors would get back into the game and find their equalizer.

But yet more poor defending let them down again, as Eric Bailly completely switched off and dived in at the feet of Gross, who had the simple task of taking the ball around him.

Brushing himself down, he stepped up and drilled the ball down the middle, which would have left Spain's No.1 disappointed given he got a hand to it.

 March's penalty hit the roof of the net after coming off De Gea's legs
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March's penalty hit the roof of the net after coming off De Gea's legs

As the second half went on, the introduction of Marouane Fellaini understandably take a more direct route.

But with Fred and Pogba looking aimless in possession, Duffy and his counterparts seemed to have victory sealed as they dealt

But when the Republic of Ireland defender dived in on Fellaini, referee Kevin Friend pointed to the spot - allowing Pogba to smash the ball back into the net.

In truth, it came far too late to make the game a spectacle and Mourihno will have a lot to answer for - especially with his fabled 'Third Season Syndrome' seemingly setting in.

MATCH STATS

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MOMENT OF THE MATCH

With the game scoreless, Romelu Lukaku's miss proved to be absolutely vital - helping Brighton out no end.

Brighton were yet to get into the game at all, with Dunk's poor touch gifting them possession 45 yards from goal.

Pogba showed great composure to prod the ball through to Lukaku, who had Duffy retreating and just where he wanted him.

 Lukaku drags his effort wide
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Lukaku drags his effort wide

He could have rolled a disguise pass back into the path of Juan Mata, or opened up his body to fire into the far corner.

Instead, he did neither and pulled his shot well wide, inexcusable for a striker worth £75million.

Although it is impossible to tell what would have happened if he had scored, you feel as though the nerves would have evaporated for the visitors completely.

PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE

 The Red Devils are already playing catch up with rivals City
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The Red Devils are already playing catch up with rivals City

 

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