Manchester United snatched victory against Brighton in bizzare fashion as a Bruno Fernandes penalty in injury-time gave them a 3-2 win for their first three points of the season in a stunning game at Amex Stadium.
The penalty for the winning goal was awarded after referee Chris Kavanagh had called time on a bonkers game only for a VAR check to reveal a handball just before the final whistle went.
Brighton forward Neal Maupay raised his hand over his head as he contested a Harry Mauguire header, with the ball skimming off his fist and Solly March clearing the goal-bound header on the line.
Kavanagh blew for full time immediately after March’s clearance but the United players surrounded the ref with claims of handball and a subsequent check on the pitch side monitor confirmed the foul and a penalty was awarded which Fernandes calmly slotted home.
It was a cruel end to the game for Brighton who had only equalised moments earlier and were the much better team throughout but paid the price for too many missed chances.
The Seagulls struck the post in the opening 15 minutes and took the lead five minutes from half time from the spot through Maupay after Fernandes had fouled Tariq Lamprey.
United sloppy and leggy drew level two minutes later when Lewis Dunk, under pressure from Maguire, put the ball inside his own net from a Nemanja Matic cut-back.
The interval did little to make United better as just minutes after the restart, Paul Pogba conceded a penalty but VAR spared his blushes as Aaron Connolly was deemed to have gone down too easily.
Brighton kept piling the pressure but it United who went ahead with Marcus Rashford scoring a contender for goal of the season.
To their credit, Brighton never let their head down, and after missing countless chances including striking the post and the upright, March equalised in the final minute of added time to snatch what he thought was a share of the spoils.
But the drama as it turned out was only just unfolding.
