Brighton & Hove Albion substitute Jack Hinshelwood scored a dramatic late winner as the home side twice came from behind to secure a 3-2 victory over Premier League champions Liverpool, keeping their slim European qualification hopes alive.
Chasing eighth place and a potential European spot—dependent on Chelsea winning the Conference League—Brighton found themselves behind early when Harvey Elliott converted a well-worked Liverpool move in the ninth minute. However, midfielder Yasin Ayari brought the hosts level in the 32nd minute.
Liverpool reclaimed the lead in first-half stoppage time when Dominik Szoboszlai’s dipping cross-shot deceived Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen and dropped into the net, giving the visitors a 2-1 advantage at the break.
Brighton manager Fabian Huerzeler made key tactical adjustments in the second half, including introducing Kaoru Mitoma in the 64th minute. The Japanese winger made an immediate impact, equalising four minutes later with a sharp finish following a rebound from Danny Welbeck’s shot.
Though Welbeck spurned several chances throughout the night, Brighton capitalised on Liverpool’s subdued performance since clinching the title on April 28. Their persistence paid off when 20-year-old Hinshelwood, brought on in the 84th minute, scored the decisive goal just a minute later from Matt O’Riley’s pass.
The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but after a lengthy VAR review, it was awarded, sparking celebrations at the Amex Stadium. The win lifted Brighton to eighth place on 58 points, three clear of Brentford, four ahead of Fulham, with Bournemouth trailing by one point but holding a game in hand.
“Coming off the bench, I wanted to make a great impact and work my hardest,” Hinshelwood said. “The ball came across, sat up perfectly, and I tapped it in. There was a nervous wait, but when it was allowed, it was pure relief.”
Brighton will travel to face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday for their final match of the season, while Liverpool will lift the Premier League trophy at Anfield after hosting FA Cup winners Crystal Palace.
“You try not to get too carried away with the celebrations,” said Liverpool’s Elliott. “We’ve worked really hard through the season. We want to win and enjoy it. We need to take the positives and carry them into the final game.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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