Brighton overturn two-goal deficit to dump Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup

Manchester United were eliminated from the Carabao Cup on Tuesday after squandering a two-goal lead, losing 3-2 to Brighton & Hove Albion in a collapse that left manager Michael Carrick visibly frustrated. Shea Lacey and Mason Mount had put United in command inside ten minutes, only for the Seagulls to fight back and seal a stunning comeback victory.

Charalampos Kostoulas pulled one back for Brighton in first-half injury time to set the tone for what followed. Pascal Gross and Maxim De Cupyer then completed the turnaround in the second half, sending United crashing out and extending a difficult run of form under Carrick.

The United manager was convinced his side should have been awarded a free-kick in the build-up to Kostoulas’ equaliser. Benjamin Sesko was dispossessed on the halfway line following a challenge involving Olivier Boscagli and Malick Yalcouye, with Jaouen Hadjam subsequently playing a long ball forward that Kostoulas converted from close range. Carrick was seen with his arms raised appealing for a foul, but referee Farai Hallam waved play on.

Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett has since backed that decision. Speaking to Football Insider, Hackett said: “Football is a contact sport and, looking at this, it was a coming together of two players. No foul! Play on. The referee got this one correct.”

Despite the defeat, Carrick struck a defiant tone in his post-match comments, insisting the squad retains the quality to reverse its recent slide. “We’ve got some really good players and it feels bad at the moment because we haven’t had a great week, or two or three weeks,” he said. “But it doesn’t mean you can’t win another game of football quickly.”

Carrick acknowledged the challenge facing his group but stressed the importance of responding quickly. “It’s all about what you do next and dealing with the moments, and the ups and the downs. We’ve certainly got to deal with this moment in a good way,” he added.