Top-Talent directed Rekordmeister
Twelve-minute hat-trick prevents United embarrassment
January 16, 2025 – 11:25 p.mReading time: 2 min.
Until eight minutes before the end, the crisis-ridden English record champions were behind against the bottom team. Then Amad Diallo redeemed the “Red Devils”.
Manchester United averted an embarrassing home defeat against bottom side Southampton FC at the last minute in the catch-up game of the 21st Premier League matchday. Thanks to a late hat-trick from Amad Diallo, the record champions won 3-1 (0-1) at Old Trafford. The 21-year-old striker from Ivory Coast scored in the 82nd and 90th minutes as well as in added time (90+4) and single-handedly turned the game around.
For a long time, coach Ruben Amorim’s team struggled to find solutions against the promoted team, which was threatened with relegation. The visitors took the lead in the 43rd minute through an unfortunate own goal from Manuel Ugarte, after a failed attempt by the United player to clear the ball from a corner landed in his own net. Despite oppressive superiority and numerous chances, Manchester kept up the deficit until the final phase.
-Only Diallo brought the turning point. The success is a liberation for United, but it also highlights the ongoing problems of the former top club, which is currently only in twelfth place in the table. Thanks to the win, the lead over the relegation places is now ten points.
Brighton & Hove Albion were also able to prevail in the battle for the top half of the table. Under the direction of German coach Fabian Hürzeler, the team won 2-0 away from relegation candidate Ipswich Town. Both goals came in the 59th minute: Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter, the former Hoffenheim player, scored in quick succession. With the win, Brighton climbed to ninth place and remains within striking distance of the international ranks.
Swiss
