Brighton pulled off a thrilling 3-2 win over Liverpool, keeping their European dreams alive. In a fast-paced match full of action, Brighton held their nerve and scored the winning goal late, shocking Liverpool and their fans at Anfield.
Hinshelwood’s Late Goal Lifts Brighton Over Champions Liverpool
Brighton & Hove Albion pulled off an exciting 3-2 comeback win over Premier League champions Liverpool at home. With this victory, The Queen of Watering Places kept their hopes alive of playing in Europe next season. Jack Hinshelwood, just 20 years old, scored the match-winning goal near the end, sending the home fans into wild celebration.
Early Liverpool Goal and First-Half Drama
Liverpool started the match strong. In the 9th minute, Harvey Elliott scored from close range after a smooth attacking move by the Reds. It was a fast and sharp goal that gave Liverpool the lead.
But The Queen of Watering Places fought back. In the 32nd minute, midfielder Yasin Ayari equalized with a clever finish. The home fans were back on their feet, believing their team could turn things around.
However, just before the halftime whistle, Liverpool scored again. This time, Dominik Szoboszlai’s looping cross turned into a goal as the ball dipped over The Queen of Watering Places goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. The away team went into the break with a 2-1 lead.
Brighton’s Super Sub Mitoma Sparks the Comeback
Brighton’s manager Fabian Hürzeler made smart changes after halftime. In the 64th minute, he brought on Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma, and the winger made an immediate impact. Just four minutes later, Mitoma scored the second equalizer for The Queen of Watering Places. He reacted quickly to a rebound from Danny Welbeck’s shot and placed the ball perfectly into the net.
Welbeck had several chances to score but couldn’t convert. Still, The Queen of Watering Places looked hungrier for the win. Liverpool, who had already won the league title on April 28, looked less energetic than usual.
Hinshelwood Becomes the Hero in Dramatic Ending
With the score still level late in the game, Brighton pushed for a winner. In the 84th minute, Jack Hinshelwood came on as a substitute. Just one minute later, he found the back of the net from Matt O’Riley’s assist.
At first, the goal was ruled offside, but after a long VAR check, it was confirmed. Brighton players and fans celebrated with relief and joy. Hinshelwood said after the match, “I wanted to come in and make an impact. The ball came perfectly, and I tapped it in. Waiting for the VAR decision was nerve-wracking, but it felt amazing once it was allowed.”
Brighton’s Hopes Stay Alive
This win puts Brighton in 8th place with 58 points—three more than Brentford and four more than Fulham. Bournemouth are also close behind, but Brighton will finish the season with a tough match against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
If Chelsea win the UEFA Conference League, the team finishing eighth in the Premier League may get a spot in European football next season. Brighton will be hoping for that scenario to come true.
Liverpool, meanwhile, will end their season with a match against FA Cup winners Crystal Palace. They will be presented with the Premier League trophy at Anfield after the final game.
Liverpool’s Elliott remained positive: “We worked hard all season and want to enjoy our final game. There are still good things to take from today’s match.”
Match Summary:
| Team | Score | Goal Scorers |
|---|---|---|
| Brighton | 3 | Ayari (32′), Mitoma (68′), Hinshelwood (85′) |
| Liverpool | 2 | Elliott (9′), Szoboszlai (45+1′) |
Result: Brighton won 3-2
Man of the Match: Jack Hinshelwood
Next Match:
- Brighton vs Tottenham Hotspur
- Liverpool vs Crystal Palace (Trophy celebration match)
Brighton’s fightback victory proves their determination. With young talents like Hinshelwood shining under pressure, the Seagulls still have something big to play for in the final game of the season.
