Brighton striker Danny Welbeck struck a late equaliser to deny Sheffield United their first Premier League win this season, with both sides taking a point in Sunday’s 1-1 draw.
The Blades took an unexpected lead in the second half, after Brighton mounted the pressure on their visitors following John Lundstram’s red card.
However, the Seagulls eventually made the most of their numerical advantage with further pressure leading to Welbeck’s late rifled strike from a set piece.
Both sides grew into the game early and Brighton had the first early chance when Lewis Dunk rose above Chris Basham from a corner, only to head over the bar.
It was the hosts who continued to dominate the opening 45 and they should have scored on 26 minutes.
After Leandro Trossard spun round Jack Robinson, he found Neal Maupay but Basham made amends by sticking out a boot to deny the striker’s goal-bound shot, which Aaron Ramsdale then gratefully collected.
In response, United boss Chris Wilder made a tactical change after only 33 minutes. Forward Oliver Burke replaced John Fleck and had an instant impact, with the visitors dominating the ball.
But Brighton’s earlier dominance then became numerical, when Lundstram received red for a studs-up challenge on Joel Veltman‘s ankle. Referee Peter Banks initially gave yellow, before visiting the pitchside monitor.
Graham Potter’s hosts were boosted and fast out of the blocks in the second half to try to take advantage of their extra man. Indeed, they had several early chances.
Among them was Trossard’s low shot, which travelled through several bodies in the box before trickling wide.
Super Sheff Utd sub pays off
But remarkably, it was United who took the lead. David McGoldrick, fresh from his brace against Manchester United on Thursday, cut the ball back for substitute Jayden Bogle.
The summer signing’s shot on the turn deflected up and over Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez into the roof of the net.
Brighton responded by bringing on forwards Welbeck and Andi Zeqiri. Solly March was the next to come closest, though, his shot deflected into the side netting.
Aaron Connolly should then have equalised, with Ramsdale committing to punch a cross from the right. But after missing it, Connolly could only meet the ball with the top of his head, missing the open net.
Welbeck restores parity for Brighton
However, Brighton’s equaliser eventually came from a set piece. After a fantastic ball into the box, Welbeck reacted fast to the ball hitting his chest to control and fire the ball past Ramsdale.
Both sides then had late chances to find a winner but in the end the spoils were shared.
The result means the Blades have doubled their points tally for the season, which remains only two. Brighton, meanwhile, remain in 16th.
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