London (AFP) – The Brighton miracle continued with a new victory against Brentford (2-0) synonymous with second place, Sunday in the Premier League, where Manchester United remains relegated but snatched a draw against Aston Villa (4-4) which could save the skin of coach Michael Carrick.

Published on: 08/11/2026 - 20:16

The Red Devils enter the international break in 17th place and they will challenge Liverpool, fourth after their victory against Crystal Palace (3-1) of Pierre Sage, new bottom red.

If the future of the French coach seems threatened, that of his compatriot Régis Le Bris improved with a short but crucial victory against a big name, Chelsea (1-0), the first since the end of August in the league for Sunderland.

At the top of the table, Brighton (2nd, 22 pts) continued its thunderous start to the season with a 2-0 victory against Brentford. This allows him to overtake Manchester City (3rd, 21 pts), who conceded a third consecutive defeat to Nottingham the day before.

"We're not getting carried away at the moment. In each match, you have to suffer a lot. Sometimes, it's a question of dynamics. But we are really satisfied to approach the international break in these conditions", commented midfielder Pascal Gross on Sky Sports.

Fabian Hürzeler's team, almost unstoppable for two months (six wins without a goal conceded in seven matches), won on Sunday thanks to two balls lodged in the top corner: a sublime strike from Diego Gomez (15th) and a penalty from Gross (43rd).

Sage still weakened

The only team that beat it in this interval, Liverpool (4th, 18 pts), placed itself back in the Top-4 by winning at Crystal Palace, a week after a defeat against leader Arsenal (27 pts).

The Reds were shaken by the Eagles who were more enterprising and sharp than them in the first period, but they converted their chances through Alexis Mac Allister (40th), Florian Wirtz (54th) and Alexander Isak (89th), before Eddie Nketiah reduced the score on a penalty (90th + 5, 1-3).

Crystal Palace's defense has conceded twelve goals in these four league matches, all of which have been lost, which places Pierre Sage in a perilous situation.

Will he still be in office after the international break?

"I analyze what happened and I try to change things. All other decisions don't concern me," he responded on Sky Sports, saying he was "really frustrated for the fans and the players, because I think we are capable of doing more and better."

To its credit, Palace was dangerous in the first period, including a shot from Yeremy Pino on the crossbar (18th) and several attempts repelled by Alisson Becker (38th, 43rd), and he did not give up in the second, even when defeat was no longer in doubt.

The Bris, the thinning

In Sunderland (19th, 8 pts) the owners kept faith in Régis Le Bris and this loyalty paid off.

The Black Cats remained on five defeats (against one draw) in the last six Premier League matches, but they scratched a big fish, Chelsea (5, 16 pts), at home.

They lost their captain Granit

“This afternoon, against a strong opponent, we showed that we could rediscover our identity,” reacted Le Bris to the BBC.

Did Manchester United deserve a point? The Red Devils in any case showed courage, in the absence of defensive mastery, at the end of the day against Aston Villa (4-4).

They conceded two goals in four minutes (1st, 4th), reacted to equalize before half-time (16th, 44th), and repeated the same scenario in the second half, with even greater dramatic intensity: to the two goals quickly conceded (48th, 53rd), they responded with two goals in added time (90th+2 and 90th+6).

“I'm not happy: we're in a bad situation,” reacted Patrick Dorgu, the man of the equalizer. "A draw is better than a defeat, but we had the best chances. Everyone has to look at themselves and ask themselves if they are doing enough. We have to fight for the manager, for the club and get through this together."

© 2026 AFP

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