Amex Stadium: Brighton and Hove Albion v Sheffield United (Sunday 12th November 2023)

Sunday afternoon football in the Premier League as Brighton and Hove Albion took on Sheffield United at the Amex Stadium.
The Seagulls are having to cope with the Thursday and Sunday schedule as they embark in European football for the first time in the club’s history. They are coming off the back of a dream night in Amsterdam after defeating former European champions Ajax 2-0. Whom they also beat by the same scoreline two weeks prior. In the league meanwhile, it’s no wins in their last 5. A run they will hope to end against the lowly Blades side.
It has not been the return to the Premier League that Paul Heckingbottom and Sheffield United have been looking for. It’s just 4 points from the opening 11 matches, albeit in their last match they managed to get their first win of the campaign with a crucial last minute penalty scored by Oliver Norwood against Wolves. Perhaps times are changing for the Yorkshire side.
On the day then and a storming start by the Seagulls as Simon Adingra slalomed past three defenders and a quick one-two with Facundo Buonanotte, led to the Ivorian powering a shot into the bottom right corner of Wes Foderingham’s goal. 6 minutes in and Brighton lead.
Afterwards, Ansu Fati had a chance in on goal but the effort was saved one-on-one by Foderingham. The theme of the half was Brighton predictably controlling the majority of the ball, as per Roberto De Zerbi’s philosophy. And Sheffield United trying to stay in the contest and they did well to maintain the pressure of the Seagulls.
Into the second half and the introduction of Joao Pedro and Kaoru Mitoma who both played the full 90 in Amsterdam. The latter, typically, had a positive impact on the match. The efficient, speedy play on the left was continuously causing problems for the Blades. Despite the introduction of Pedro, Brighton were still lacking the killer touch in front of goal.
Midway through the second half, the game was turned on his head as Mahmoud Dahoud stood on Ben Osburn’s calf to receive a straight red from John Brooks. Perhaps a slightly unfortunate red card as there was no malicious intent behind it, regardless it could have caused a serious injury. Instantly the away end was rejuvenated and Sheffield United sensed the chance to win something from the game.
And just 5 minutes later, The Blades were on level terms as a cross from the right side on the box, delivered by Jayden Bogle, was diverted into his own net by Adam Webster. This would be a sting in the tail for The Seagulls as not capitalising on the majority of the ball had cost them.
Sheffield United had the wind in their sails at this point and could have scored again to get all 3 points from the game. Brighton did try to get back in control of the game but the lack of killer edge in front of goal and the one man deficit didn’t help.
That was how it ended in Sussex as it’s no wins in 6 for Brighton now as things have stagnated a small bit. However, we can’t forget the fantastic job this side and Roberto De Zerbi have done. For the Blades, a well won and fought point, they will look to see more of this as they aim to remain in the Premier League, with the odds firmly stacked against them.