Pascal Gross scored the equaliser as Brighton came from 2-0 down to beat Manchester United 3-2 at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
The captain’s leveller sparked a dramatic second-half turnaround. Jason Steele made a crucial late save from Marcus Rashford to seal the win and send Brighton through to the next round.
The victory was Brighton’s fifth in their last six trips to Old Trafford, but the first time they have won there after trailing.
Falling two goals behind against a strong Manchester United side made the recovery all the more striking. It left both Gross and Steele reflecting on a night that tested the squad’s nerve as much as its quality.
Brighton Erase Deficit to Knock Out Manchester United
Brighton trailed 2-0 inside the opening period before mounting a response that swung the tie firmly in their favour.
Gross’s equaliser proved the turning point, dragging the visitors level. It set up a finish that Old Trafford has rarely produced against Brighton in recent seasons.
Steele’s stop from Rashford in the closing stages was the moment that secured the points. United pushed for a late leveller, but the goalkeeper’s intervention preserved a lead that Brighton had fought hard to build. It capped a result the club will point to as evidence of genuine resilience under pressure.
Gross and Steele Reflect on Old Trafford Victory
Speaking after the match, Gross pointed to Brighton’s history of fighting back at this venue as a source of belief for the current squad. Discussing the win, as reported in The Argus post-match report, he said:
“It’s not the first time this season. It’s the third time this season we start slow. We have to improve that because we always have to climb a mountain but today we got there.
“We played here before, last season, a similar match and we won. That gives you obviously belief in a stadium like this when you have done it before.
“The experience, we tried to give it to the lads. It was a really good performance and I have to say Steeley’s save at the end was unbelievable.”
Steele echoed that sense of togetherness. He highlighted the quality of the chances Brighton created and the character shown across a squad that has seen significant turnover.
“We had a lot of chances. Sometimes we just missed that little final touch, final pass, said Steele.
“We played really well. To be out there with the boys is always special.
“We showed some character again. We have got some group of boys in there. There has been a lot of change but, with the boys who have come in and the boys we already had, there are some top human beings.
Addressing Slow Starts and Squad Resilience Under Hurzeler
Gross was direct about a recurring problem this season. Brighton have now started slowly for the third time this season. They previously went 3-0 down at Chelsea before threatening a comeback, and needed to erase a deficit against Leeds in their last home game.
He said the team must improve on those slow starts, even after finding a way to overcome another one at Old Trafford.
Both players credited the squad’s depth and character for turning difficult positions into positive results.
As captain, Gross has continued to draw praise for his leadership qualities. His role in steadying the side after falling behind fits a pattern that has defined several matches this term.
Steele’s comments about new arrivals blending with established players speak to a squad Fabian Hurzeler has continued to shape at the Amex Stadium. Questions remain, though, about the slow starts that have put Brighton on the back foot repeatedly.
Gross has previously spoken about the demands on the squad’s younger players. The response at Old Trafford suggested that message is being absorbed.
The team showed the composure to recover twice within a few weeks, rather than folding under early pressure.
Brighton Turn Attention to Upcoming Domestic Fixtures
With the Carabao Cup tie now behind them, Brighton’s focus shifts back to the Premier League.
The recent pattern of slow starts followed by determined recoveries will be closely watched there too. Both Gross and Steele made clear that fixing the early lapses remains a priority, even after a result as memorable as the win at Old Trafford.
The character shown in successive comebacks against Chelsea, Leeds and now Manchester United gives Hurzeler’s squad a platform of confidence heading into their next league assignments.
For supporters, the challenge now is pairing that resilience with sharper starts. Then the team will not be repeatedly required to come from behind to get results.
