A L B I O N R E P O R T - 16
( featuring the Manchester United (4/4) and Everton (12/4) games )
4 APRIL 2021 - MANCHESTER UNITED 2 ( Marcus Rashford 1 - 62
minutes, Mason Greenwood 1 - 83 minutes ) BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 1
( Danny Welbeck 1 - 13 minutes ) - PREMIER LEAGUE - at OLD TRAFFORD,
MANCHESTER - Behind Closed Doors.
The Seagulls, seeking their first-ever win at Old Trafford and hoping it would be thirteenth time
lucky at the "Theatre of Dreams"in their Premier League encounter, "live"in front of the BT
Sport cameras, without spectators present.
In their previous Premier League game, the Albion beat Newcastle United 3-0 at the Amex on
the 20 March and for this visit to Manchester Albion Head Coach Graham Potter unsurprisingly
named an unchanged starting line-up from the Newcastle fixture.
Last time out United had lost 1-3 at Leicester City in the Quarter-Finals of the FA Cup on the
21 March and for Albion's visit Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made four changes to his
starting line-up from the Leicester game, with Luke Shaw, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford
and Edinson Cavani coming in for Alex Telles, Nemanja Matic, Donny Van De Beek and
Anthony Martial (injured).
In the reverse-fixture at the Amex earlier this season on the 26 September 2020, United ran
out 3-2 victors in an incident-packed match, scoring the winner with a 100th minute penalty!
In the corresponding fixture at Old Trafford last season on the 10 November 2019 United ran
out 3-1 winners, with their goals coming from Andreas Pereira (17m), Davy Propper (19m, o.g.,)
and Marcus Rashford (66m). Albion's consolation goal was scored by Lewis Dunk (64m). The
line-ups at Old Trafford on the 10 November 2019 were: Albion (4-4-2):- Mathew Ryan; Martin
Montoya (Solly March 46), Shane Duffy, Lewis Dunk (Capt), Dan Burn; Steven Alzate, Dale
Stephens, Davy Propper, Leandro Trossard (Pascal Gross 59); Neal Maupay, Aaron Connolly
(Glenn Murray 46). Subs not used: David Button (G/K), Ezequiel Schelotto, Leon Balogun,
Aaron Mooy. Manchester United (4-2-3-1):- David De Gea; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor
Lindelof, Harry Maguire (Capt), Brandon Williams (Marcos Rojo 90+1); Scott McTominay,
Fred; Daniel James, Andreas Pereira (Jesse Lingard 70), Marcus Rashford (Marcus
Rashford (Mason Greenwood 90+1); Anthony Martial. Subs not used: Sergio Romero (G/K),
Phil Jones, Juan Mata, James Garner.
Looking for their first-ever win at Old Trafford, the Albion had an early let-off on eight minutes
when a shot from Mason Greenwood from 12 yards out struck a post, with Albion goalkeeper
Robert Sanchez well beaten. Surprisingly, the Seagulls took the lead on 13 minutes when a
superb cross by Neal Maupay from the right found Danny Welbeck whose point-blank header
was parried by United keeper Dean Henderson but the alert Welbeck followed up to score
with a header at the second attempt. It was the former United man's fourth goal of the season.
1-0. The goal inspired Albion to take control of the first-half proceedings and keeper
Henderson made a fine save on 19 minutes when he turned a goal-bound Lewis Dunk header
over the bar. Prior to the interval Pascal Gross and then Jakub Moder saw their efforts go
close to increasing Albion's lead. The first-half was shaded by the Albion and they deserved
to be ahead. Half-time 1-0.
As the second-half began it was clear that United had received a half-time rollicking as Albion
keeper Sanchez made fine saves to keep out efforts from Marcus Rashford and Bruno
Fernandes. United drew level on 62 minutes when Fernandes passed to Rashford on the left
and the England striker ran on before side-footing the ball past Sanchez into the Albion net.
1-1. Fred then came close to putting the United ahead but the Brazilian's deflected shot
landed on top of the Albion net. On 70 minutes, Albion felt hard done by, when United's Harry
Maguire appeared to impede Welbeck in the box but Referee Mike Dean declined Albion's
appeals for a penalty and VAR supported the Referee's decision. Keeper Sanchez then got
down to save Daniel James low shot. To Albion's consternation United took the lead on 83
minutes when Paul Pogba's mishit shot found the unmarked Greenwood whose header
found the back of the Albion net. 1-2. Although the Seagulls strove for an equaliser, their
efforts came to nought. Final-score 1-2.
The Albion had 5 attempts at goal, with 3 on target and won 6 corners, free-kicks conceded
- 7. United had 15 attempts at goal, with 7 on target and won 5 corners, free-kicks conceded
- 14.
VERDICT - A game of two halves and the Seagulls could count themselves unlucky in not
coming away from Old Trafford with at least a point. With Fulham faltering, the Albion have
every chance of looking forward to a fifth consecutive season in the Premier League.
Albion line-up (3-4-1-2):- Robert Sanchez; Ben White, Lewis Dunk (Capt), Joel Veltman;
Pascal Gross Adam Lallana (Andi Zeqiri 88), Yves Bissouma, Jakub Moder (Alireza
Jahanbakhsh 87); Leandro Trossard (Alexis Mac Allister 63); Neal Maupay, Danny
Welbeck. Subs not used: Jason Steele (G/K), Michal Karbownik, Davy Propper, Steven
Alzate, Moises Caicedo, Jose Izquierdo.
Manchester United line-up (4-2-3-1):- Dean Henderson; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor
Lindelof, Harry Maguire (Capt), Luke Shaw; Paul Pogba (Scott McTominay 84), Fred;
Mason Greenwood, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford (Daniel James 72); Edinson
Cavani (Donny Van De Beek 82). Subs not used: David De Gea (G/K), Amad Diallo,
Nemanja Matic, Brandon Williams, Axel Tuanzebe, Lee Grant (G/K).
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral). VAR: Peter Bankes.
Possession: Albion - 42%. Manchester United - 58%.
Attendance: Behind Closed Doors.
PREMIER LEAGUE - MANAGER OF THE MONTH - MARCH - THOMAS
TUCHEL (CHELSEA).
PREMIER LEAGUE - PLAYER OF THE MONTH - MARCH - KELECHI
IHEANACHO (LEICESTER CITY).
12 APRIL 2021 - BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 0 EVERTON 0 -
PREMIER LEAGUE - at the AMERICAN EXPRESS COMMUNITY
STADIUM, FALMER - Behind Closed Doors.
After their encouraging display at Old Trafford, the Albion welcomed Champions
League place chasing Everton to the Amex for a Premier League encounter, "live"
in front of the Sky Sports cameras and over the airwaves on BBC Radio 5 Live,
behind closed doors.
Despite their 1-2 loss at Manchester United on the 4 April, Albion Head Coach
Graham Potter named an unchanged starting line-up for the third game running.
Everton, on the crest of a slump, last time out, drew 1-1 at home to Crystal Palace
on the 5 April and for the visit to the Amex, Manager Carlo Ancelotti was forced to
make two changes to his starting line-up from the Palace game, with Ben Godfrey
and Gylfi Sigurdsson replacing the injured pair Andre Gomes and Dominic Calvert-
Lewin.
Earlier this season in the reverse fixture at Goodison Park on the 3 October 2020,
the Toffees ran out 4-2 winners. In the corresponding game at the Amex last season
on the 26 October 2019, the Albion won a thriller against Everton 3-2, with their goals
coming from Pascal Gross (15m), Neal Maupay (80m, pen.,) and Lucas Digne
(90+4m, o.g.,), the Everton goalscorers were Adam Webster (20m, o.g.,) and Dominic
Calvert-Lewin (74m). Albion line-up at the Amex on the 26 October 2019 was
(4-4-2):- Mathew Ryan; Martin Montoya (Ezequiel Schelotto 65), Adam Webster,
Lewis Dunk (Capt), Dan Burn; Pascal Gross (Leandro Trossard 65), Dale Stephens,
Davy Propper, Steven Alzate; Neal Maupay, Aaron Connolly (Glenn Murray 80).
Subs not used: David Button (G/K), Leon Balogun, Yves Bissouma, Solly March. The
Everton line-up was (4-2-3-1):- Jordan Pickford; Djibril Sidibe, Michael Keane,
Mason Holgate, Lucas Digne (Capt); Tom Davies, Andre Gomes; Theo Walcott
(Fabian Delph 72), Bernard (Gylfi Sigurdsson 29), Alex Iwobi (Dominic Calvert-Lewin
72); Richarlison. Subs not used: Jonas Lossl (G/K), Seamus Coleman, Morgan
Schneiderlin, Moise Kean.
The teams needed points for different reasons, the Albion to secure their Premier
League status and Everton a top four finish to attain a Champions League place.
Both teams had early chances, with Adam Lallana firing narrowly over the bar for the
Seagulls and James Rodriguez blazing over a free-kick from 20 yards. The game
was developing into a tit-for-tat encounter, with both teams reluctant to commit men
forward. Jakub Moder twice forced Everton keeper Robin Olsen into action with
long-range efforts which produced routine saves and at the other end Tom Davies
headed wide from a Seamus Coleman cross, when he should have done better.
Prior to the break, Neal Maupay saw his close-range goal-bound effort deflected
wide by Yerry Mina and Yves Bissouma's speculative overhead kick landed on the
roof of the Everton net. Half-time 0-0.
It was Albion asking the questions at the start of the second-half and Maupay was
unlucky to see his shot hit Mason Holgate and go wide. Moder, fed by Pascal
Gross, saw his shot go inches wide and the Pole went close again minutes later.
Robert Sanchez in the Brighton goal then saved from Rodriguez as the Toffees
woke up. Maupay then wasted a golden opportunity to land the points for the
Seagulls as from ten yards out he missed the target from Bissouma's pass.
Keeper Olsen tipped Lewis Dunk's header over the bar and at the other end
Dunk made a great block to keep out Gylfi Sigurdsson's piledriver. Leandro
Trossard and then Lallana saw their efforts go close and the last action of the
game saw Everton substitute Alex Iwobi blaze over when well placed. In the
end, both teams were happy to settle for a point apiece. Final-score 0-0.
Albion had 23 attempts at goal, with 3 on target and won 10 corners, free-kicks
conceded - 12. Everton had 8 attempts at goal, with 1 on target and won 3
corners, free-kicks conceded - 7.
VERDICT - A useful point gained by the Albion in the battle to retain their
Premier League status. The Seagulls were the more enterprising of the two
teams but failed to convert the number of chances they created. The signs
are that the Albion will start their fifth consecutive season in the Premier come
August 2021.
Albion line-up (3-4-2-1):- Robert Sanchez; Ben White, Lewis Dunk (Capt),
Joel Veltman; Pascal Gross, Adam Lallana, Yves Bissouma, Jakub Moder
(Dan Burn 87); Leandro Trossard, Danny Welbeck; Neal Maupay (Alireza
Jahanbakhsh 87). Subs not used: Jason Steele (G/K), Adam Webster,
Steven Alzate, Davy Propper, Alexis Mac Allister, Andi Zeqiri, Jose Izquierdo.
Everton line-up (5-3-2):- Robin Olsen; Seamus Coleman (Capt), Ben Godfrey,
Yerry Mina (Alex Iwobi 58), Michael Keane, Lucas Digne; Tom Davies (Nathan
Broadhead 88), Mason Holgate, Gylfi Sigurdsson; James Rodriquez,
Richarlison. Subs not used: Joao Virginia (G/K), Niels Nkounkou, Kyle Alex
John, Harry Tyrer, Isaac Price, Rees Welch.
Referee: Darren England (Yorkshire). Fourth Official: Graham Scott.
Yellow Cards: Albion: 1 - Lewis Dunk. Everton: 2 - Michael Jeane, Mason
Holgate.
Possession: Albion - 55%. Everton - 45%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Ben White (Albion).
Attendance: Behind Closed Doors.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES:
20 APRIL 2021 - CHELSEA - away - Premier League - kick-off 20.00.
"Live" on Sky Sports.
24 APRIL 2021 - SHEFFIELD UNITED - away - Premier League -
kick-off - 20.00. "Live" on Sky Sports.
Jack Kaye
16 April 2021.
