Bryan Mbeumo scored twice as Manchester United edged Brighton in a pulsating six-goal clash to record their third consecutive Premier League win, their first such run since February 2024, moving them up to fourth place in the table.
Matheus Cunha ended his 16-match goal drought to give United an early lead before Casemiro’s deflected strike and Mbeumo’s composed finish made it 3-0 by the hour mark.
The Red Devils looked to be in full control as Brighton struggled to contain their attacking rhythm.
Late scare, late relief
Danny Welbeck ignited Brighton’s fightback with a superb free-kick against his former club, and Charalampos Kostoulas’ stoppage-time header set up a nervous finish.
But Mbeumo stepped up again, smashing home his second goal to settle the contest and seal another vital win for Ruben Amorim side.
Brighton came from behind to stun 10-man Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge, with Danny Welbeck scoring twice in a dramatic second-half turnaround.
The Blues had taken the lead through Enzo Fernandez in the 24th minute, but their momentum collapsed after Trevoh Chalobah was sent off early in the second half.
Chelsea undone by red card
Chalobah’s dismissal for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity left Chelsea playing with 10 men for the second straight Premier League match.
Despite holding onto their narrow lead, Enzo Maresca’s side struggled to withstand Brighton’s growing pressure.
Welbeck inspires Brighton’s comeback
Danny Welbeck struck in the 77th minute to level the contest before Maxim De Cuyper powered home a close-range header to put Brighton ahead.
Welbeck then completed the turnaround with his second goal late on, sealing all three points for the visitors.
Blues slump continues
The result condemned Chelsea to back-to-back league defeats, after falling 2-1 at Old Trafford last weekend.
They will hope to pick themselves up again, when they face Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Manchester United have cooled their interest in Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, with club chiefs unwilling to meet the Seagulls’ hefty asking price.
This is after United had already spent over £200m on attacking reinforcements this summer.
Baleba, who is keen on a move to Old Trafford, will now have to wait at least another year as United turn their attention to bedding in new signing Benjamin Sesko.
The 21-year-old Slovenian striker, signed from RB Leipzig, is tipped by manager Ruben Amorim to become United’s long-term No.9.
With Rasmus Hojlund set for a loan switch to AC Milan and Mason Mount recently deployed as a false striker, Sesko could be thrust into action immediately despite limited preparation time.
Sunday’s clash against Arsenal will see Sesko face Viktor Gyokeres, the Swedish forward long linked with United before opting for the Gunners.
Gyokeres has already made his mark with a goal in pre-season and offers Arsenal a powerful target man option, while Sesko combines strength with greater mobility.
Gyokeres, 27, has scored over 100 goals in the past two seasons, whereas Sesko’s 39 strikes in the same period make him Europe’s most prolific player under 23.
The game at Old Trafford will now pit the two strikers head-to-head, to kick-off their clubs campaign.
Brighton extended their unbeaten start to the Premier League season with a 5-2 victory over bottom-placed Leicester, while leaders Arsenal prepared for the latest test of their unbeaten start against Manchester United later on Sunday.
Graham Potter’s fourth-placed side improved to four wins from six games with a second-half surge at the Amex Stadium.
Leicester took the lead in the first minute thanks to Kelechi Iheanacho, but Brighton took the lead thanks to a Luke Thomas own goal and Moises Caicedo’s strike.
Leicester’s Patson Daka equalized, but the struggling visitors crumbled after halftime as Leandro Trossard put Brighton ahead before Alexis Mac Allister’s double sealed the rout.
Leicester have only taken one point from their first six games, losing five in a row, putting manager Brendan Rodgers under intense pressure.
Rodgers admitted after Thursday’s defeat against Manchester United that the Foxes, who twice narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification under his leadership, are not the same club they were two years ago.
Rodgers, who led Leicester to their first FA Cup victory in 2021, has also publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with the club’s owners’ lack of support in the transfer market, with Wout Faes the only outfield player signed since the end of last season. Mac Allister ended the game by converting a penalty in the 71st minute after Wilfred Ndidi fouled Trossard, then curling a free-kick past Danny Ward in the final seconds. Arsenal can make it six wins in a row at Old Trafford if Mikel Arteta’s team can maintain their hot start. United will be the first true test of Arsenal’s unexpectedly strong start.United manager Erik ten Hag was humbled to begin his reign with two consecutive losses. However, United have won three games in a row, beginning with an impressive victory over Liverpool and continuing with victories at Southampton and Leicester.
Antony will make his debut for United after signing the Brazilian forward from Ten Hag’s former club Ajax for £82 million this week.
