Brighton fight back to knock Manchester United out of Carabao Cup

Brighton overturned an early two-goal deficit to beat Manchester United 3-2 at Old Trafford and reach the last 16 of the Carabao Cup.

United appeared to be in control after scoring twice inside the opening 10 minutes. Shea Lacey put the hosts ahead in the eighth minute before Mason Mount doubled their advantage two minutes later.

Brighton began their recovery in the first minute of added time at the end of the first half, when Charalampos Kostoulas pulled a goal back.

Pascal Gross then levelled for Brighton in the 65th minute, before Maxim De Cuyper completed the comeback four minutes later.

Gross said Brighton’s slow start was becoming a recurring issue and warned that the team must improve their approach to matches.

“It was frustrating because it is not the first time this season, but the third time we have started a game slowly,” Gross told Sky Sports.

“We have to improve that because we always force ourselves to climb a mountain, but we managed to do it today.”

Brighton had also won a similar match at Old Trafford last season, a result Gross said had helped give the players confidence before returning to the stadium.

“We played a similar game here last season and won it, so that gives you confidence when you have won at a stadium before,” he added. “We try to pass that experience on to the players.”

Gross praised Brighton’s overall performance and reserved particular appreciation for goalkeeper Jason Steele, who made a decisive late save.

“It was a great performance from us, and I have to say that Steele’s save at the end was amazing,” he said.

The victory sends Brighton into the last 16, where they will face the winner of Manchester City’s tie against Norwich City. Manchester City and Norwich City meet on Thursday evening in the final match of the round of 32.

The draw has produced a standout meeting between Liverpool and Chelsea, while the remaining ties are Fleetwood Town against Arsenal, Everton against Newcastle, Sunderland against Brentford, Bradford City against Peterborough, Fulham against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth against Aston Villa.

The last-16 draw is:

– Fleetwood Town v Arsenal – Manchester City or Norwich City v Brighton – Everton v Newcastle – Sunderland v Brentford – Liverpool v Chelsea – Bradford City v Peterborough – Fulham v Crystal Palace – Bournemouth v Aston Villa

Manchester City are the holders of the Carabao Cup after beating Arsenal 2-0 in last season’s final.