Roberto De Zerbi feels justice was done against Manchester United (Picture: Getty Images)
Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi says he believes in a God of Football after his side beat Manchester United with a late penalty, having ‘unfairly’ lost to the Red Devils on spot-kicks in the FA Cup semi-final.
Alexis Mac Allister scored the 99th minute winner after Luke Shaw handled the ball from a corner, giving the Seagulls a measure of revenge.
They have done the double over the Red Devils in the league this season, and made it three Premier League wins over United on the spin, but they were beaten on penalties in their bid for an FA Cup final.
De Zerbi says they deserved to win that Wembley clash as well and this last-gasp winner was some justice for an unfair result in north London.
‘I’m really happy and delighted for the performance and result, De Zerbi told Sky Sports.
‘I think there is a God of Football because in the semi-final we deserved to win and we lost on penalties, and today we won with a penalty for us.
Alexis Mac Allister was the hero from 12 yards (Picture: Getty Images)
‘In both games I think we played better than United and the last result was unfair.’
On his side’s performance, he was disappointed with a missed opportunity for Kauro Mitoma early on, but after that, it was only praise.
‘We made a mistake with Mitoma in the first or second minute, then we played a fantastic game. We dominated the game against a great team,’ said the Italian.
‘But I think my players deserved to win. At the moment we have to play another six very tough games and Monday we will play the first very tough game against Everton.
‘We have to win because if we don’t win against Everton we lose these three points.’
Brighton climb to sixth with the victory and remain in the hunt for European football next season.
MORE : Alexis Mac Allister’s 99th-minute penalty secures Brighton revenge over Man Utd
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‘In both games I think we played better than United.’