Brighton & Hove Albion | 17 September 2026 | Brighton Journal
There are football matches you enjoy and then there are nights you remember for years. Brighton & Hove Albion’s extraordinary 3-2 comeback against Manchester United at Old Trafford was very much the latter. Going 2-0 down inside the opening 10 minutes, Brighton looked to be facing a miserable evening, but somehow turned the game completely around to produce one of the club’s most memorable away wins in recent seasons.
United struck twice early, with Brighton suddenly having a mountain to climb. Yet instead of allowing the occasion to overwhelm them, Brighton gradually found their way back into the match. Babis Kostoulas pulled one back before half-time, giving the visitors something to hold on to and, more importantly, reminding United that the game was far from over.
After the break Brighton became increasingly dangerous. Pascal Groß then produced another memorable moment against United, scoring to make it 2-2 and giving the travelling supporters something to believe in. For a club that has spent years turning Old Trafford into a surprisingly happy hunting ground, there was a growing sense that another special night might be developing.
And then came the winner. Maxim De Cuyper had barely been on the pitch when he reacted quickest to put Brighton ahead in the 69th minute. From 2-0 down to 3-2 up, the transformation was remarkable. Brighton’s latest match coverage
What impressed me most was not simply beating Manchester United. It was the way Brighton responded to adversity. A team that concedes twice so early can easily lose its shape and confidence, particularly at Old Trafford. Brighton did the opposite. They kept playing, kept attacking and eventually forced United onto the back foot.
For the travelling Brighton supporters, this was exactly the sort of night that makes following the club worthwhile. There is something particularly satisfying about watching your team come back from the dead in a stadium like Old Trafford, especially against a club with United’s history and resources.
The result also adds another memorable chapter to Brighton’s increasingly entertaining relationship with Manchester United. There have been plenty of famous wins in recent years, but coming from two goals behind to win 3-2 feels different. It was not just a victory; it was a demonstration of resilience.
Now Brighton have to make sure this becomes more than one brilliant night. Cup football can produce wonderful moments, but the real test is carrying that confidence into the Premier League. After last night, however, Brighton fans have every reason to believe this is a side capable of producing plenty more memorable evenings.
For more from the city and the club, see our Brighton & Hove Albion coverage and things to do in Brighton
