CARABAO CUP: MAN UNITED BLOW TWO-GOAL LEAD, CRASH OUT 2-3 TO BRIGHTON
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By ‘Sefiu Ajape
Manchester United’s struggles deepened as they crashed out of the League Cup after surrendering a two-goal lead in a stunning 3-2 defeat to Brighton on Wednesday.
Michael Carrick’s side suffered their second consecutive home defeat following a dramatic collapse in the third round at Old Trafford.
United raced into a two-goal lead through Shea Lacey and Mason Mount, who struck within the opening 10 minutes.
However, Charalampos Kostoulas sparked Brighton’s comeback before Pascal Gross equalised and Maxim De Cuyper completed the turnaround, leaving Carrick shell-shocked as United were booed off the pitch.
The defeat was another damaging blow for United after their controversial 1-0 home loss to Manchester City on Sunday.
The referees’ governing body admitted that VAR officials were wrong to allow City striker Erling Haaland’s winning goal, leaving United with just one victory from their opening four Premier League matches.
After guiding United to third place last season during his spell as interim boss, Carrick was expected to lead a title challenge this term after being appointed permanently.
However, United have now lost three of their six matches in all competitions, increasing pressure on Carrick ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to Fulham.
Another defeat in West London would plunge United into a full-blown crisis barely a month into the new campaign.
Amid criticism of United’s close-season recruitment, Carrick’s decision to make eight changes highlighted the lack of depth in his squad.
Lacey, however, offered a glimpse of hope for United’s future, unlike fellow highly-rated teenager JJ Gabriel, who has reportedly expressed a desire to leave Old Trafford.
The 19-year-old midfielder showed why Carrick has placed his faith in him after just eight minutes.
Lacey collected possession inside the Brighton penalty area before firing a clinical finish into the bottom corner for his first-ever United goal.
Mount doubled the advantage two minutes later, pouncing to fire into the roof of the net after Marcus Rashford’s effort was saved by Jason Steele.
But United’s defensive problems resurfaced in first-half stoppage time when Kostoulas capitalised on poor marking from Ayden Heaven to drill the ball past Karl Darlow.
Sloppy United
The setback unsettled United, and Brighton drew level in the 65th minute when Gross controlled Luka Vuskovic’s header before firing home from close range.
Carrick’s men were in disarray, and Brighton completed the comeback five minutes later when De Cuyper swept Kostoulas’s pass into the net from six yards following more sloppy United defending.
Carrick introduced Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha in the closing stages, but United were unable to find an equaliser.
Brighton have now eliminated United from two cup competitions in nine months after also winning at Old Trafford in the FA Cup in January.
It was the first time in 50 years that United had lost a home match after taking a 2-0 lead.
Elsewhere, Tammy Abraham scored twice as Aston Villa secured only their second win of the season with a 3-1 victory over Coventry at the CBS Arena.
Both Villa and Coventry are in the Premier League relegation zone following poor starts to the campaign.
Unai Emery’s side, who had lost three of their first four league matches, showed signs of halting their poor run when Abraham opened the scoring in the seventh minute.
Victor Torp levelled for Coventry with a superb free-kick in the 27th minute.
Ross Barkley restored Villa’s lead five minutes before half-time before Abraham struck again in the 59th minute.
Charly Alcaraz came off the bench to secure Everton’s 1-0 victory over second-tier Wolves with a curling effort in the 80th minute.
Fourth-tier Fleetwood Town reached the fourth round for the first time after beating Championship side Sheffield United 1-0.
In Wednesday’s last-16 draw, Fleetwood were handed a home tie against Premier League champions Arsenal.
Holders Manchester City or Norwich will host Brighton, while Everton will face Newcastle and Sunderland will welcome Brentford.
Liverpool will take on Chelsea, Bradford City will meet Peterborough United, Fulham will entertain Crystal Palace, and Bournemouth will host Aston Villa.
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