One of the positive aspects of the season so far has been the Albion’s home form, continuing on from a marked improvement last year. That being said, when one of the ‘big four’ comes to town, maintaining ‘Fortress Broadfield’ is always going to be a tough ask.

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For a full recap of the match action courtesy of Bruce Talbot head over to the Albion website: HERE
Match highlights are available on the official WSL YouTube channel: HERE

Before we start I’ll apologise for both the delay and subsequent brevity of this match report. I am currently on holiday with limited time (and will) to write – normal service will be resumed for Liverpool!

Brighton & Hove Albion

• Jess Park was easily the best player on the pitch, and ultimately the difference between the two teams. Not only did she contribute a goal and an assist, but United’s entire attack ran through her. It would be fair to speculate, though Brighton don’t often utilise a ‘marker’, if in hindsight it would have been a good idea to try and nullify her influence with a player tracking her specifically. She had far too much space in this game, far too often and the Seagulls paid the price.
• There was an element of controversy about their first goal which looked offside at first glance, but technically wasn’t when you could watch multiple replays. Whether the assistant referee got it right accidentally therefore, or whether they got it right by getting it wrong, we’ll never know. There’s also a case that if the United player doesn’t play the ball, then it’s a foul, but ultimately the goal was given and there can’t be too many arguments having seen it back.
• It is absolutely a valid discussion to have that the Albion scored two goals against a team who had only conceded three all season so far. In doing so though you must also acknowledge that the defence allowed three goals when they had only conceded five all season. It would be hard not to read that as – when Brighton are more attacking they are weaker at the back – and vice versa. Obviously the ideal situation is somewhere in the middle where they can attack and score goals, without losing defensive stability.
• An area worth highlighting is the substitutions. With United in the lead they were able to make defensive changes which gave them fresh legs and multiple options – bringing on the likes of Gabby George, Hannah Blundell, even Fridolina Rolfo and Simi Awujo to a certain extent. In other words, they bolstered the positions they needed to win the game. Brighton on the other hand needed goals, so of course required attacking substitutions, but in terms of personnel all they were able to call on were Nadine Noordam and Rachel McLauchlan – a central midfielder and an attacking wingback. This isn’t a judgement of their quality, just honesty about how one team was able to reinforce with strength in depth, whilst the other was left with very little choice but to put square pegs in round holes.

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Manchester United

• United probably deserved the win, but they didn’t have it all their own way. Love or hate xG, the final tally of 1.7 for the Albion to their 2.3 feels about right, the Red Devils just that little bit better overall and the Seagulls perhaps lacking that truly elite player (like Park) to unlock the opposition defense with regularity.
• It was both pleasant and slightly odd that three of United’s starters spent multiple seasons at the Albion. Whilst Julia Zigiotti and Elisabeth Terland played fairly well, the latter putting her team one up, Maya Le Tissier had a couple of wobbles, one of which actually cost her team a goal. Good to see that Brighton could identify these talents of course, but it makes you wonder about where they would be if they had retained their services.
• There were quite a few away fans, for which I’ll give them credit, but they were mostly silent and what was heard sounded like the classic opposition goalkeeper “you’re sh*t ahhh” nonsense that most of us would prefer get in the bin when it comes to the women’s game.

Other Business

• The referee was the very same one that rebuked Rachel McLauchlan for not using the ball on the cone and dished out seven yellow cards against Everton. On this occasion there were no yellow cards and players like Phallon Tullis-Joyce time-wasted to their hearts content. WHERE IS THE CONSISTENCY?
• The attendance was 3,363 – which of course is the highest at Broadfield this year – although United are also the only ‘big four team’ to visit so far. Last seasons game at the Amex isn’t a fair comparison, but the game in 2023/24 played on a Saturday evening drew 3,701 so read into that what you will.

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The SheGulls Podcast was recorded Monday (yes I am that committed) and will be released soon – so for more analysis of this game and a preview of Liverpool away in the WSL – do give it a listen.

See you all soon as always!