Carlos Baleba sends message to Brighton fans after Man United penalty drama
Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba posted a message to fans on social media after their 3-1 win over Man United.
The 21-year-old dominated the midfield battle against United (19 January) and played well, despite giving away a penalty to the Red Devils in the first-half.
Yankuba Minteh opened the scoring with a simple tap-in from a Kaoru Mitoma cutback just five minutes in.
Baleba then gave away a penalty after pulling down Joshua Zirkzee in the 23rd minute, which United captain Bruno Fernandes calmly dispatched.
Brighton then looked to have taken the lead, but Joao Pedro’s effort was disallowed, a decision that Keith Hackett exclusively told Football Insider was “wrong.”
However, after a period of sustained dominance, the Seagulls were back on top with Minteh and Mitoma again combining. This time, it was the Gambian setting up the Japanese winger as Minteh floated a cross to the back post for Mitoma to nod in, in the 60th minute.
Georginio Rutter then sealed the deal for Brighton, making the most of a fumble from United goalkeeper Andre Onana as he poked home in the 76th minute.
Carlos Baleba celebrates a great week for Brighton
Brighton looked like they were in for a difficult week with back-to-back away games against Ipswich (16 January) and United.
However, the Seagulls handled both games expertly, conceding only once and scoring five in the two games.
Baleba featured in both matches, and was a stand-out performer in the Ipswich game as the Seagulls won 2-0.
Posting on Instagram after the game against Man United, Baleba said: “What a week for us Seagulls! Happy to be winning.”
Baleba was not the only Brighton player to take to social media to celebrate the result, after former Man United player Danny Welbeck posted a message to ex-Man United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.
Brighton’s next game will be against a resurgent Everton side on 25 January as the Seagull’s look to continue moving up the table.
In other news, Lewis Dunk sent this message to Brighton fans after being “axed”.
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