Cristiano Ronaldo broke the deadlock with a stunning strike early in the second half before Bruno Fernandes sealed the win with Manchester United's second in the injury-time.
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Cristiano Ronaldo was on target as Manchester United defeated Brighton 2-0 in the Premier League fixture at Old Trafford on Tuesday to go to fourth in the standings. The Portuguese international had gone six games without scoring but blasted home early in the second half to end his goal drought and put Ralf Rangnick’s side ahead. Immediately after the goal, Brighton were reduced to 10-man as Lewis Dunk received a red card for a foul of Anthony Elanaga. Bruno Fernandes’ stoppage-time goal sealed United’s victory.
Goals from @Cristiano and @B_Fernandes8 gives us all three points! ?#MUFC | #MUNBHA
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 15, 2022
Brighton, who are battling for a maiden European campaign started the game brightly as Jakub Moder tested David de Gea at the near post from Pascal Grob’s assist inside the opening five minutes. A minute later, Adam Webster’s poor control allowed Ronaldo to dribble forward before setting up Jadon Sancho with a back-heel. But the latter’s effort from the left side of the penalty area was saved by Brighton keeper Robert Sanchez.
Joel Veltman delivered a powerful cross for Moder inside the box, but the Polish midfielder’s header was superbly kept out by De Gea. Brighton were playing some good football and De Gea was kept busy. Yves Bissouma linked but pretty well with Neal Maupay and Moder to get inside the box, but his shot went wide.
Six minutes into the second half, The Red Devils put their nose in front courtesy of a stunning strike from Ronaldo. Bissouma conceded possession and the ball fell to Ronaldo, who cut inside past Webster before unleashing a powerful strike into the back of the net. Few minutes later, Dunk fouled Elanga after his own poor touch. The referee showed a red card after VAR intervention as it was a clear foul and Elanga could have gone clear on goal.
The momentum was now with the home side and they pushed forward for a second. Ronaldo’s header from Fernandes’ cross was tipped over the bar by Sanchez. With 20 minutes remaining, Sanchez made an error as he played a poor pass to Ronaldo, the Portuguese striker unselfishly squared it to Fernandes whose shot from inside the box was brilliantly saved by Sanchez.
Ronaldo once again headed wide from Fernandes’ cross before Moder’s long-range effort struck the crossbar. Ten minutes from time, Sanchez made a decent save to keep out Fernandes’ effort from outside the box.
United finally got their second of the night in the seventh minute of stoppage-time. Pogba’s quickly taken free-kick released Fernandes on the right, the playmaker dribbled all the way into the box before firing home to seal the win.
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