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Premier League • England

Roberto de Zerbi revels in late Brighton win over Man Utd: ‘We deserved to win the semi-final too’

Roberto-de-Zerbi-Brighton

Brighton and Hove Albion manager Roberto de Zerbi has given his reaction after his team picked up a deserved three points against Manchester United at the Amex Stadium. 

It looked as if the Red Devils would cling on to a 0-0 draw before Luke Shaw handled the ball in his penalty area and gave Alexis Mac Allister the golden opportunity to score.

The Argentina international, who has been linked to Man Utd recently, stepped up confidently and smashed the ball into David de Gea’s top right corner.

The 99th-minute winner is the latest Premier League goal in Man Utd’s history and could prove to be a big three points in the context of the season.

While Erik ten Hag’s team threatened somewhat in the first half, Brighton were by far the most threatening in the second and definitely deserved their victory.

The likes of Mac Allister, Julio Enciso, Jason Steele and Karou Mitoma all put in spirited performances – but in fairness, the whole team impressed.

The result sees Brighton close the gap with the top four to just eight points, with the south coast club having played one game fewer than Man Utd.

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De Zerbi: ‘There is a god of football’

In his post match interview, De Zerbi said justice was done after Brighton lost the FA Cup semi-final to Man Utd, which he thought Brighton deserved to win, too.

“Really happy and delighted for the performance and result,” he told Sky Sports.

“There is a God of football. We deserved to win the semi-final but lost on penalties but today we won with a penalty.

“In both games I think we played better than United. The last result was unfair.”

De Zerbi couldn’t bare to watch Mac Allister’s penalty, saying: “It was a very tough moment. I preferred not to see!”

But, the manager said his team definitely deserved the three points, adding: “We played a fantastic game, we dominated the game. My players deserved to win.

“We are to play another six games, six very tough games. Monday we play the first tough game against Everton and we have to win. If we don’t win against them we will lose these three points.”

READ MORE: Euro Paper Talk: Brighton ‘burn’ Man Utd competition for next Moises Caicedo as De Zerbi plots latest masterstroke