To say that Sheffield United’s Premier League encounter with Brighton & Hove Albion at Bramall Lane on Sunday was one-sided would be an understatement as the visitors stormed to a 5-0 victory in empathic fashion. The Blades were reduced to 10 men when Mason Holgate was shown the red card, but Brighton still did everything possible to pile misery on their hosts.
Brighton moved up to seventh in the Premier League table with a comprehensive 5-0 win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
The task for the visitors was made easier when the hosts were reduced to 10 men after just 13 minutes, when Mason Holgate was shown a red card for a poor tackle on Kaoru Mitoma.
Brighton dominated thereafter, with the game played almost exclusively in the Sheffield United half.
Two quick goals after the sending off, from Facundo Buonanotte and Danny Welbeck, put the result beyond doubt; an own goal from Jack Robinson and a brace from Simon Adringa in the final 20 minutes completed the rout.
Sheffield United remain on the bottom of the table and have now conceded more goals after 25 games than any team in Premier League history.
TALKING POINT – CAN BRIGHTON STAY IN EUROPE?
The performances of Roberto de Zerbi’s team in the Premier League this season have run alongside their maiden season in Europe; a pioneering journey for the club, and one that is still in swing.
Brighton have taken to the European game with ease. They topped a UEFA Europa League group containing Ajax, Marseille and AEK Athens, and will be a dangerous floater in the draw for the formal knockout rounds, which will take place on Friday.
Sunday’s victory moved Brighton up to seventh in the league, and if they stay there then they should be assured of another run in European competition next season. Brighton are upwardly mobile at home and abroad, and their strategic approach is paying off handsomely.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – KAORU MITOMA (BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION)
After being on the end of a poor tackle early in the game, Mitoma bounced back to turn in a devastating performance down the left for Brighton. He gave Jayden Bogle a torrid afternoon, going past him at will, and was instrumental in two of Brighton’s goals.
PLAYER RATINGS
Sheffield United: Foderingham 6; Bogle 5, Holgate 4, Ahmedhodzic 6, Robinson 6, Larouci 5; Osborn 6, Hamer 5, Souza 6, McAtee 7, Osula 6
SUBS: Trusty 6, Brewster 6, Norwood 6, Davies 5, Brooks 6
Brighton & Hove Albion: Verbruggen 6; Van Hecke 7, Dunk 7, Webster 6; Gross 7, Buonanotte 7, Gilmour 7, Lamptey 6; Adingra 8, Mitoma 8; Welbeck 7
SUBS: Igor Julio 6, Moder 6, Ferguson 6, Estupinan 6, Fati 6
