It’s been a long week and a rough run of games, even just for me as an Albion fan, never mind the players who must be feeling it all the more acutely. Much as it pains me to say it – this match felt done and dusted in the 11th minute. You simply cannot give up early goals against one of the meanest defences in the league, and goals that were preventable too. Dario’s side now need to pick themselves up for the FA Cup tie against Durham and start to develop that winning mentality once again.

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For a recap of the match action, head over to the Albion website HERE and give the article a read courtesy of Bruce Talbot. Game highlights are available via the official WSL YouTube channel HERE.

The SheGulls Summary

Brighton & Hove Albion

• United’s first goal was a lesson in how not to start a game. Maria Thorisdottir was outmuscled by compatriot and former Albion star, Elisabeth Terland, whose reverse pass set up Ella Toone with a chance to shoot from an angle. Despite the strike lacking power and being well within the reach of Sophie Baggaley, the ball somehow bounced over the outstretched keepers’ hand and into the net. Not one Baggers will want to see again for sure, but equally you can’t let quality players through on goal so easily in the first place.
• The second goal didn’t come from a mistake per se, but it still could have been prevented. How a player like Miyazawa is allowed to run in unchallenged onto a square ball from a free kick is staggering to me. Yes her shot is blocked and it falls back to her rather kindly, but bear in mind she was allowed to take two relatively unimpeded strikes on goal, it’s asking for trouble.
• The third I find tough because it involves a player who gives their all for the team and in general has been a massive net positive for the club. However, it has to be discussed again, is Sophie Baggaley tall enough to be an every game goalkeeper in the Women’s Super League? The strike from range is a good one from Celin Bizet, but it essentially beats Baggers for height, going over her rather than into the top corner or taking a vicious swerve. Ask yourself does Melina Loeck make the save there? If the answer is yes, then a change in between the sticks could be in the offing.
• The first half Brighton looked leggy, disjointed and somewhat lost against a team who are bang in form at the moment. Brighton were sat so deep, with no real avenue to push up and out, it just invited wave after wave of United attack. Truthfully it could have been more than 2-0 at the break.
• The second half was an improvement as Dario switched to three centre backs by bringing Jorelyn Carabali on, which allowed Poppy Pattinson and Rachel McLauchlan to start patrolling the wide areas again and put more bodies into the middle third of the pitch. Despite the home side scoring again, the action was far more even and the Albion crafted a couple of excellent opportunities of their own.
• Drilling a little deeper I found a concerning theme when examining the average in-game positions of each starting player. Brighton only had one player in the United half, Nikita Parris, whereas conversely the Red Devils only had three players in their OWN half. When players taking up positions in the opponent’s territory tallies 7-1, there has to be an issue there.
• It’s no surprise then that the Albion had zero shots on target, and seven shots in total to Manchester United’s eight and twenty-one respectively.
• The passing around at the back under pressure is really becoming a bugbear of mine. In theory I’m all for it, but it’s conceding us goals not scoring them far more often as it stands. Quite frankly I just don’t think we have the personnel to be able to handle it. In the week we had another hospital pass into midfield that led to a goal, and in this game Jelena Cankovic almost cost us one in the same manner she did against Chelsea. If it’s risk versus reward, I’m not seeing the reward.
• If it wasn’t obvious already, we need Fran Kirby back, and fast. Not only does she hold everyone else to a high/er standard, she is a player the opponent has to budget for and links the midfield to the attack. When those three elements are missing, we don’t seem to have the same cutting edge going forward.
• Having said all that, is it time to hit the panic button? Absolutely not. The most concerning defeat of the three was the loss to Liverpool who are the only team with worse form than Brighton in their last five games, even after beating us. However, after a long time out of action, some injury concerns and a long journey North, there were some negative variables at play. Arsenal were unstoppable for the most part, just too good all over the field, and the United game was more disappointing than the result was unexpected. As Dario pointed out in his post-match interview, we are still fifth, albeit only on goal difference now, but we will start to slide further should results not improve immediately. It would be a shame to let that excellent start to the season go to waste.

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Manchester United

• I thought United played well, but they weren’t really put under any real sustained pressure. It helps when you’re two goals up inside eleven minutes though. There are signs though that they could be the side of two years ago when they finished second in the WSL, as opposed to last year when they finished fifth.
• In the second of the Terland revenge games this season, the former Albion striker once again wasn’t on the score sheet, but she showed what she can do when the goals aren’t flowing, making a nuisance of herself with her physicality and off the ball movement.
• Celin Bizet is a fantastic player and I would say she’s been the key in United’s uptick in form. Good going forwards, solid going back, a constant threat to create a goal and occasional threat to score one. My goodness I’d love a clone of her to come to the Albion.

Other Business

• Once again a massive shoutout to all the travelling supporters who made their own way up to Greater Manchester last night! I know our very own Claire took a car full of people, and fellow supporter Sam did too, so thank you to them for keeping the momentum going and showing how fervently we support the team, even when the majority of us can’t be there. We absolutely heard you all loud and proud, outsinging the United fans even with just eleven of you there!
• On a similar note, I hope nobody who reads these reviews, be it fan, player or staff, infers any malice. One thing I have always said is SheGulls is not for criticising the character of anyone who is good enough and brave enough to pull on a Brighton shirt. It would disingenuous not to analyse the game and be honest about the subject matter, but we are ALWAYS behind the team, and we will ALWAYS cheer them on come what may.

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As far as I know and barring any horrendous weather-based atrocities, all three members of the SheGulls Podcast will be at both the Durham FA Cup tie on Wednesday and the WSL game against Crystal Palace on Sunday. Please do come and say hello if you see us, it’s always a pleasure to meet new faces!

Good news, we’ll be in the Fanzone prior to the Chelsea game, along with a few other fabulous organisations, so look for updates on that as we have them!

As always you can listen to the SheGulls Podcast, recorded Monday night, released Tuesday/Wednesday, for more in depth analysis of the game, a fair bit of waffling and maybe a few laughs thrown in for good measure.