DE ZERBI ON THE SEAGULLS’ STALEMATE WITH SHEFFIELD UNITED

A disappointed Roberto De Zerbi admitted his side “lost order and defended in a bad way” after Mahmoud Dahoud was sent off against the Blades. Sheffield United held Brighton to a 1-1 draw to keep their unbeaten league run against the Seagulls intact.  

De Zerbi slammed the Premier League officials at full time, saying he doesn’t like “80% of English referees” or the way in which they behave. He was unhappy with Dahoud’s dismissal with 20 minutes remaining; “the new rules say it’s a clear red, but in this situation it’s not. Mo knows the mistake, I’m not angry, these things happen in football”. De Zerbi received a yellow card himself for his disputes with the officials.

Brighton had a positive start to the game and took an early lead via Simon Adingra. It was all his own making too; the winger beat two Sheffield United defenders on his way to the edge of the area. A quick exchange with Facundo Buonanotte and Adingra was through on goal, he slotted the ball to Foderingham’s right, off the post and in to give Albion the advantage.

In the second half, Sheffield United were the livelier side and Brighton were punished for their lack of urgency to extend the lead. Mahmoud Dahoud received a controversial red card for his foul on Ben Osborn, a frustrated De Zerbi said that the red card “changed the game”. The Italian accepted the sending off but believes “until the red card we (Brighton) played very well and deserved to win with more goals.”

Minutes later the Blades made the most of their numerical advantage and equalised. Jayden Bogle drilled his cross across the face of goal, Adam Webster tried to turn the ball back out for a corner but instead scored an own goal to bring the game back on level terms.

Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom dismissed the suggestion that the draw was a mental boost for his side. He said “it’s irrelevant (coming off the bottom of the Premier League) what’s pleasing is that we showed character against a great side”.

The two managers felt very differently about the result, Paul Heckingbottom said “In the second half I was pleased with all of it, it was a good battle”. Roberto De Zerbi on the other hand was anything but pleased, saying there “was only one team on the pitch until the red card, we lost our style”.  

Brighton’s Premier League clean sheet drought continues, they are still yet to have one since their 3-0 victory against Arsenal in May. After the international break, the Albion face Nottingham Forest who they will be hoping to beat for the first time in seven years.  

Written by Isabelle Newnham