Sheffield United 0-5 Brighton: Mason Holgate despatched off in heavy home defeat

Manager Chris Wilder says Mason Holgate “has to take accountability” after the defender’s pink card within the early phases of Sheffield United’s thrashing by Brighton.

Brighton cruised to a 5-0 win in opposition to 10 males, taking the lead inside 10 minutes by Facundo Buonanotte when the playmaker bundled in a nook.

Danny Welbeck doubled the benefit, firing in a rebound after keeper Wes Foderingham denied Mitoma.

United’s Ben Osborn had a hooked volley dominated out for offside simply earlier than the interval.

Brighton obtained their third when United defender Jack Robinson diverted Mitoma’s cross into his personal web earlier than Simon Adingra added two late targets, burying Pascal Gross’ cutback and benefiting from a looping deflection.

“It was a mistimed deal with and the proper determination was made,” Wilder instructed BBC Match of the Day when requested about Holgate’s problem .

“Mason has to take the accountability that his determination has harm us and the gameplan goes out of the window after that.”

Wilder later revealed Holgate had mentioned sorry to his team-mates for the problem.

“He has apologised to the boys, he understands it and he’s an skilled professional,” mentioned the Blades boss.

“He has obtained it unsuitable, I would like us to be aggressive, I would like us to win tackles, we will not have a passive sport.

“It is a aggressive sport, it isn’t a non-contact sport however we have now to get that proper, Mason has to get that proper. It is large setback for us within the method to the general sport.

“I’m torn, I’m a competitor and I perceive that it was a really, very sturdy problem and the sport has moved on.”

‘The determination was proper’ – what they mentioned

“The pink card killed the sport, killed our plan and killed all the pieces we labored for,” Sheffield United captain Anel Ahmedhodzic instructed BBC Match of the Day.

Ahmedhodzic mentioned he didn’t suppose the pink card was truthful, though he did say he had not seen a replay of the incident.

Holgate gained the ball together with his standing foot, however that was after he had caught Mitoma together with his studs.

“He’s clearly gained the ball, however he is adopted by,” Brighton striker Welbeck instructed Sky Sports.

“It was a type of challenges the place I did suppose it was a pink card immediately.”

On BBC Radio 5 Live former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson described it as “a very dangerous deal with” and added: “I’m positive when Sheffield United followers get home and watch Match of the Day Two, they’re going to realise the choice was proper.”

Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi mentioned he didn’t need to speak concerning the problem.

Holgate is the one participant to have obtained a pink card in every of the previous three Premier League seasons.

The defender joined United in February after being recalled from his mortgage at Southampton earlier this season.

Brighton get pleasure from report away win

Sunday’s victory was solely Brighton’s second within the league in 2024, though they’ve gained twice within the FA Cup, together with a 5-2 triumph in opposition to United at Bramall Lane within the fourth spherical.

Even earlier than Holgate’s dismissal De Zerbi’s aspect had been routinely carving ahead.

Adingra, again from profitable the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast, had a cross deflected off Ahmedhodzic and was narrowly stored out by a diving Foderingham.

At 2-0, Yasser Larouci twice cleared off the road for United – denying Mitoma and Gross from shut vary – whereas Foderingham additionally well stored out Welbeck and Mitoma.

It is Brighton’s largest win away from home within the high flight, and so they have now scored 4 or extra targets seven occasions in all competitions this season.

De Zerbi’s seventh-placed crew now face sides who’re within the backside half of the desk of their subsequent 5 video games, beginning with Everton subsequent weekend.

Blades miss likelihood to maneuver off backside

“It appears like we get one again after which we lose one,” Wilder instructed Sky Sports.

The Blades boss was speaking about Cameron Archer failing a health take a look at earlier than kick-off, however the level does additionally aptly sum up his aspect.

After profitable 3-1 at Luton final week, the guests wanted solely a degree to maneuver off the foot of the desk.

But as quickly as they went a participant down, a optimistic outcome appeared unlikely.

They did almost degree shortly after conceding, however James McAtee’s shot after a mazy run was stored out by Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen, who was beginning forward of Jason Steele.

And there was confusion surrounding Osborn’s disallowed aim, which was first dominated out for a foul however then was in the end chalked off for an offside after referee Stuart Attwell consulted the pitchside monitor.

United journey to Wolves for his or her subsequent league match on 25 February.