'There is a god of football': Roberto de Zerbi buzzing as Brighton gain Manchester United revenge
- Rob McCarthy
- 5 May 2023
Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi said "there is a god of football" after his side beat Manchester United with a late penalty, just 11 days after losing their FA Cup semi-final in shootout heartache.
Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi thanked the football gods after his side gained revenge for their FA Cup semi-final shootout loss to Manchester United with a late Premier League penalty winner at The Amex.
Alexis Mac Allister's 99th-minute spot-kick, awarded for Luke Shaw's handball, came after United beat Albion 7-6 on penalties at Wembley.
"In both games, I think we played better than United. The last result was unfair," De Zerbi told Sky Sports.
"I think there is a god of football."
He added: "We deserved to win the semi-final but lost on penalties but today we won with a penalty."
Both sides had chances in a thrilling Premier League encounter at Amex Stadium and United keeper David de Gea did well to keep out Mac Allister and Pervis Etupinan in stoppage time.
The Seagulls got the breakthrough seconds from the end with Mac Allister finding the top corner from the spot after a video assistant referee review judged Shaw had handled.
Victory boosted Brighton's chances of qualifying for Europe next season. The Seagulls are now sixth and are only four points off fifth-placed Liverpool who have played two games more.
"We played a fantastic game, we dominated the game. My players deserved to win," added De Zerbi."We are to play another six games, six very tough games. Monday we play the first tough game against Everton and we have to win. If we don't win against them, we will lose these three points."
