MATCH REPORT: Joao Pedro nets stoppage-time winner against Man United, helps Brighton maintain Premier League lead
Brighton vs Man United Starting line-ups:
The weekend’s action begins on the south coast where Brighton and Hove Albion, which leads the new table after a 3-0 win at Everton last week, hosts Manchester United.
Erik Ten Hag’s side opened its campaign with a win over Fulham, thanks to a late goal by debutant Joshua Zirkzee but it was hardly a convincing display.
“Very pleasing that a player who is a striker scores his first goal in his first game,” Ten Hag told reporters on Thursday. “That will give him confidence, we’re very pleased that it’s happened.
“I give the comparison last year with Rasmus Hojlund that when he scored against Brighton and the VAR looked, five minutes later they came to the conclusion the ball crossed the line in the assist and he had to wait three months for his first Premier League goal,” Ten Hag added.
“It helps absolutely (Zirkzee) scoring his first goal, it gives him confidence and gives us confidence as a team. Very good progress.”
Hojlund, who scored 10 league goals last season, remains sidelined this week with a hamstring injury, along with Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Victor Lindelof.
“(Lindelof) has an issue on his toe, hopefully he can return quickly but not available for the weekend,” Ten Hag said.
Debate about the United manager’s future is likely to rumble on unless his side show tangible evidence of improvement on last season when it finished eighth.
(with inputs from Reuters)
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