Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 Manchester United: 5 talking points 

Pascal Gross' header gave Brighton a famous victory over a poor Manchester United to all but secure their Premier League status.

The hosts had the edge for long periods and were rewarded early into the second half, as Jose Izquierdo's blocked cross was headed thunderously by Gross, whose goal had to be confirmed by goal line technology after Marcos Rojo appeared to have initially cleared the German's effort.

The result lifts the Seagulls to 40 points, a usual benchmark to assure one's league status, while United must wait to ensure a second-place finish after a listless display.

Here are the talking points from a celebratory night at the Amex stadium:-

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#1 Result may have been different but for Goal Line technology

Gross needed confirmation from the referee for his goal

The Seagulls thoroughly deserved their goal, but one wonders whether it would have stood had goal line technology not come into existence. The technology was installed into the game to help decide results like these, results that could make or break a club's season.

That is exactly what Brighton benefited from, via Gross' header. As Jose Izquierdo's cross - which was initially blocked - found it's way into the danger zone, it was Gross who rose highest and planted a bullet header goalwards.

Marcos Rojo appeared to have cleared it off the line, but a second later Craig Pawson's watch vibrated to signal that the ball had indeed crossed the white paint, resulting in the goal being awarded.

Most officials would have missed that from the naked eye, and technology seemed to have played a pivotal role in sealing a memorable win - and hence, a fantastic season - for Chris Hughton's side.

#2 Organized Seagulls give United little room

Brighton defended solidly against a pacey United

Having kept a solitary clean sheet in 14 league games prior to this, Brighton boss Chris Hughton emphasized on his side's need to set up a foundation from the back to stifle United's attack for space and time on the ball.

What he saw was 90 minutes of top-notch organization, focus and drive to get each other over the line as far as League survival was concerned. Centre-backs Shane Duffy and Lewis Dunk were brilliant, keeping the aerial threat of Marouane Fellaini at bay and giving the likes of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford no free space to work with.

Veteran right-back Bruno defied age to sprint with the ball out of his defensive zone, while the midfield duo of Dale Stephens and Davy Propper put Paul Pogba under pressure and barely allowed him to make a meaningful pass.

They kept their nerve under immense United pressure in the dying moments and thoroughly deserved to celebrate their survival with victory over England's most successful club in terms of league titles won.

#3 Jose Izquierdo and Anthony Knockaert counter-attacked with flair

Knockaert took United on

When a side is set up to defend, it's important to have a couple of figures ready to pounce on the opposition losing possession and attempt to take advantage of a retreating defence. That is exactly what wingers Izquierdo and Knockaert did on Friday, using their pace to peel away from desperate fullbacks Darmian and Young.

Knockaert, in particular, was outstanding on the break, deploying his quick feet to dribble past United's players one on one and advancing towards the byline with real purpose.

Izquierdo's effort sealed the result as he managed to get into some space on the left wing against a struggling Darmian and although his cross was blocked, it still managed to find a way into the penalty area for Gross to attack.

The duo had an immense role to play in scripting United's downfall and ultimately securing their own future in the Premier League.

#4 Paul Pogba's shocking passing puts him under the scanner again

Pogba was in shocking form

United were below average on the whole, but it was Paul Pogba's listless display in midfield that puts the club-record signing under fire yet again. Attempting extravagant long-field passes against a physically powerful Brighton defence rather than work the ball around was a major downfall in his game at the Amex Stadium.

He was closed down too easily by Brighton's midfield and was dispossessed under pressure multiple times in the second half. The slick passing and ability to locate advancing teammates with through-passes, which blew everyone away early in the season was completely absent.

A player of his calibre would have been expected to open up the Brighton defence with a key ball on at least one occasion. There was no clarity in his approach and absolutely no quality in any of his passes tonight.

Mourinho may have a big decision to make as he ponders over his team selection for the FA Cup final on 19th May.

#5 United's finishing continues to hurt them

Martial missed good opportunities to score

United have rued bad finishing for a handful of unfavourable results this season and this one was no different. Though they were poor, sides like United are expected to churn out results when performances are not up to scratch.

To ensure that, they need to be able to put away the odd chance. But the finishing, like the performance, was also terrible.

Anthony Martial's wayward shots from the edge of the box, Jesse Lingard's wild miss when he appeared to be through on goal and Juan Mata's skied free-kick in the second half were just a few instances where the visitors' inability to apply the finished product let them down badly, along with the performance. United have work to do as they prepare for Cup final day.