Bryan Mbeumo scored twice as Manchester United survived a late scare against Brighton to claim a third successive Premier League win for the first time since February 2024, moving them up to fourth in the table.
United were cruising after an hour thanks to goals from Matheus Cunha, who broke his 16-match scoring drought by netting for the first time for his new club, Casemiro’s deflected effort and Mbeumo’s neat finish.
But Danny Welbeck’s brilliant free-kick pulled one back against his old club with 16 minutes left. Then, two minutes into the seven added, Charalampos Kostoulas flicked home a near-post header.
Suddenly there were some worried faces in the United ranks and it took an even later effort from Mbeumo, drilled into the roof of the net from 12 yards, to ease the tension with 4-2 defeat of Brighton.
They may only stay there for a matter of hours but United suddenly find themselves in a much better state than three weeks ago, when it was felt by many a home defeat by Sunderland would have left head coach Ruben Amorim clinging to his job.
Now there is a hint of swagger about Amorim’s team, who should have won by more and certainly with no need for the worries at the end.
Cunha’s first goal for club or country since April was superb, taking Casemiro’s short pass on the edge of the area before curling an inch-perfect low shot into the bottom corner.
Elsewhere, Sunderland moved into second place in the Premier League as winger Chemsdine Talbi scored a 94th-minute winner to stun Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.
Regis le Bris’ side were on the brink of earning a valuable point in west London, but snatched all three when Talbi converted from the edge of the box after a quick counter-attack.
The victory – Sunderland’s second on the road this season – was all the more remarkable given Chelsea had taken an early lead when Alejandro Garnacho scored his first goal for the club with a fine solo effort.