Jack Hinshelwood scored a late winner as Brighton recovered from a goal down at half-time to defeat Champions Liverpool 3-2 at Falmer Stadium, therefore sustaining their slender hopes of playing European football next season.
Liverpool kicked off the game fiercely, Harvey Elliott capitalising on Conor Bradley’s assist to score in the ninth minute. But Yasin Ayari answered fast in the 32nd minute levelling it on the great pass from Brajan Gruda.
Dominik Szoboszlai scored with a falling cross-shot that soared over the head of the custodian Bart Verbruggen into the net, so Liverpool recovered the lead at the edge of the first half.
By bringing the correct personnel on the pitch, Brighton manager Fabian Huerzeler made amazing improvements in the second half. Four minutes after he was brought in, Japan’s winger Kaoru Mitoma scored an equaliser from Danny Welbeck, turning the 69th minute score 2-2.
Given a chance in the 84th minute, another replacement Hinshelwood delivered a minute later with a winner on the pass from Matt O’Riley. Originally forbidden, the aim was later approved following careful assessment of the VAR; subsequently, the hero of the game Hinshelwood began his celebration.
” Coming off the bench, I wanted to come in the game and make a great impact and work my hardest,” Hinshelwood said.
“I tapped the ball in since I believe it comes across and sits exactly. Though there was a tense wait till the aim was approved, it was only relief.”
With 58 points from 37 games, the victory put Brighton in eighth place in the table three points clear of ninth-placed Brentford with a game still to go. The eighth-ranking team can be qualified for the UEFA Conference League following season.
