Manchester United 2 Brighton 0
Curiously this match postponed from December because of covid was not televised.
BT Sport was committed to the Champions League whilst Sky was showing the Championship match between Cardiff and Coventry.
Manchester Utd/ Brighton was on Radio 5 Extra, commentated by Connor MacNamara with Mark Lawrenson as analyst.
By all accounts Brighton were the better team in the first half – only United keeper David de Gea keeping the home side in the game.
It was same old, same old, for the Seagulls – plenty of possession and fluid passing but no one to finish it off.
In the second half Ronaldo gave United the lead.
The key moment came after that when Lewis Dunk was red carded.
Reduced to 10 men, Brighton still had two chances to equalise but in the dying moments it was United who increased their lead.
Brighton in ninth place still have a chance of Europa League qualification.
Graham Potter in charge for his 100th match commands respect throughout the Premiership.
He is exceptional in not just managing players but improving them.
Last season he lost Ben White, Yves Bissouma might well go at the end of this.
Southampton have lost the core of their team (van Dyk, Luke Shaw, Callum Chambers, Lallana) – so have Leicester (Konte, Mahrez, Chilwell, Maguire) – so Brighton too are vulnerable if the big boys come a-calling.
However Potter never complains and gets on with the job but he will miss Dan Ashworth, director of football, who has moved to Newcastle and possibly prove their best signing.
