Match report

Brighton Stuns Manchester United with 2-1 FA Cup Victory

Manchester United
Manchester United
1–2
FT
Brighton
Brighton
Jan 11, 2026

Brighton stunned defending champions Manchester United with a 2-1 victory in an FA Cup clash on January 11, 2026. Bruno Fernandes provided the assist for Bernard Sesko's goal, but Brighton capitalized early through Benjamin Gruda and Daniel Welbeck to secure a memorable win.

Key Facts

  • • Brighton's Benjamin Gruda scored in the 12th minute.
  • • Daniel Welbeck doubled Brighton's lead with another goal in the 64th minute.
  • • Manchester United's Bernard Sesko reduced the deficit with a goal in the 85th minute.
  • • S. Lacey was sent off for Manchester United following an argument with the referee.

Lineups

Manchester United

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 31 S. Lammens (G)
  • 2 D. Dalot (D)
  • 15 L. Yoro (D)
  • 6 L. Martinez (D)
  • 13 P. Dorgu (D)
  • 25 M. Ugarte (M)
  • 37 K. Mainoo (M)
  • 7 M. Mount (M)
  • 8 B. Fernandes (M)
  • 10 M. Cunha (M)
  • 30 B. Sesko (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 A. Bayindir
  • 26 A. Heaven
  • 5 H. Maguire
  • 12 T. Malacia
  • 18 Casemiro
  • 38 J. Fletcher
  • 39 T. Fletcher
  • 61 S. Lacey
  • 11 J. Zirkzee

Brighton

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 23 J. Steele (G)
  • 34 J. Veltman (D)
  • 42 D. Coppola (D)
  • 21 O. Boscagli (D)
  • 24 F. Kadioglu (D)
  • 13 J. Hinshelwood (M)
  • 30 P. Gross (M)
  • 8 B. Gruda (M)
  • 10 G. Rutter (M)
  • 25 D. Gomez (M)
  • 18 D. Welbeck (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 B. Verbruggen
  • 5 L. Dunk
  • 6 J. P. van Hecke
  • 14 T. Watson
  • 19 C. Kostoulas
  • 22 K. Mitoma
  • 26 Y. Ayari
  • 51 C. Tasker
  • 53 H. Howell

Timeline

  1. Brighton
    12' Brighton Goal · Normal Goal
    B. Gruda
  2. Manchester United
    60' Manchester United Card · Yellow Card
    K. Mainoo

    Foul

  3. Manchester United
    62' Manchester United subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Mason Mount · On: S. Lacey
  4. Manchester United
    62' Manchester United subst · Substitution 2
    Off: K. Mainoo · On: J. Zirkzee
  5. Brighton
    64' Brighton Goal · Normal Goal
    D. Welbeck · Assist: B. Gruda
  6. Brighton
    77' Brighton subst · Substitution 1
    Off: D. Gomez · On: Jan Paul van Hecke
  7. Brighton
    77' Brighton subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Joël Veltman · On: Y. Ayari
  8. Brighton
    78' Brighton subst · Substitution 3
    Off: D. Welbeck · On: K. Mitoma
  9. Manchester United
    79' Manchester United subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Lisandro Martínez · On: Harry Maguire
  10. Manchester United
    79' Manchester United subst · Substitution 4
    Off: M. Ugarte · On: Casemiro
  11. Brighton
    83' Brighton subst · Substitution 4
    Off: G. Rutter · On: C. Kostoulas
  12. Manchester United
    85' Manchester United Goal · Normal Goal
    B. Sesko · Assist: Bruno Fernandes
  13. Manchester United
    87' Manchester United Card · Yellow Card
    S. Lacey

    Foul

  14. Manchester United
    89' Manchester United Card · Yellow Card
    S. Lacey

    Argument

  15. Manchester United
    89' Manchester United Card · Red Card
    S. Lacey

    Argument

  16. Brighton
    90'+2 Brighton subst · Substitution 5
    Off: B. Gruda · On: T. Watson
  17. Brighton
    90'+3 Brighton Card · Yellow Card
    C. Kostoulas

    Argument

Match Stats

Stat Manchester United Brighton
Fouls 11 15
Pass Accuracy 85% 81%
Offsides 5 4
Red Cards 1 0
Total Shots 19 13
Corners 6 1
Total Passes 524 361
Yellow Cards 4 1
Blocked Shots 3 4
Shots on Target 8 4
xG 1.73 1.59
Shots off Target 8 5
Possession 60% 40%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 445 294
Shots Inside Box 13 9
Saves 1 7
Shots Outside Box 6 4

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Brighton took the lead early through Gruda's goal, setting the tone for their victory.
  • ▸ Welbeck's second goal in the 64th minute effectively sealed Brighton’s win despite Manchester United's late push.