Manchester United were unable to move up on the Premier League table after a 1-0 defeat to Brighton on Thursday, May 4.
United, hoping to consolidate their place in the top four, were dealt the decisive blow when referee Andre Marriner was sent to the pitch-side monitor by VAR in the 99th minute of an otherwise goal-shy encounter, awarding a last-gasp spot-kick for a Luke Shaw handball.
Alexis MacAllister, roared on by a raucous Amex Stadium crowd, held his nerve to thump the ball beyond the clutches of David De Gea, in turn moving Brighton above Tottenham and Aston Villa, while leaving United looking nervously over their shoulders.
The defeat leaves Erik ten Hag’s side in fourth place on 63 points, four ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool but with a game in hand over their Merseyside rivals.
The victory was some measure of revenge for Brighton, who lost to Manchester United on penalties in their FA Cup semi-final 12 days ago.
After the game, match-winner Mac Allister praised the performance of his side, suggesting they deserved the victory after a close-fought clash between the two sides.
Brighton’s run-in before the end of the season is tough: they must still face Manchester City, Arsenal and Newcastle. But playing like this, they will fear nobody. They have feared nobody during an outstanding season in which they have created history. Their 55-point haul is a top-flight record for them – three better than their previous best from 1981-82. And that was during a 42-game campaign.
United will have the chance to respond to the disappointing defeat when they travel to the London Stadium to take on West Ham on Sunday afternoon.