Brighton secured their Premier League safety as they deservedly beat Manchester United with a goal awarded by goalline technology.

Pascal Gross’ header from Jose Izquierdo’s cross was cleared by Marcos Rojo – but from just behind the line.

Albion – who had not won in their previous seven games – had the better chances and David de Gea did well to deny Glenn Murray and Izquierdo.

Marcus Rashford forced a good save from Mat Ryan in the second half.

Seagulls can plan for next season

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The Seagulls were looking comfortable on 4 March when they beat Arsenal 2-1 to move into the top half of the Premier League. But seven games without a win in all competitions since then had seen some doubt creep in.

However, after moving on to 41 points and into 11th place, they cannot be caught by the bottom three – prompting a party atmosphere at the final whistle – and Chris Hughton can start getting ready for the club’s second season in the top flight since 1983.

Anthony Knockaert and Izquierdo were fantastic on the two wings – likewise Gross in the centre – and caused United problems from start to finish.

Albion started brightly and Dale Stephens shot wide in the eighth minute. United keeper De Gea made two decent saves to stop Gross – and two fantastic diving saves to keep out Murray’s 25-yard shot on the bounce and Izquierdo’s rising hit.

The Seagulls fully merited their goal when Gross beat Ashley Young in the air to send Izquierdo’s cross past De Gea.

The summer signing from Ingolstadt has been involved in 45% of Brighton’s Premier League goals all season – seven goals and eight assists.

Brighton did not create many chances following that goal but showed good game management to see the game out.

Albion are now eight points above the relegation zone, but because Swansea and Southampton, who have three games left, play each other on Tuesday, it is impossible for both sides to get enough points to catch Brighton.

Blunt United fail to impress

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho says whether his side finish second in the league will determine whether the FA Cup finalists have had a good season overall.

They remain five points clear of third-placed Liverpool, although Tottenham – one point further back with a game in hand – can also catch them.

With Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez injured, Marcus Rashford got his chance in the centre-forward position but failed to take his opportunity.

United only had one touch in the Albion area in the first half, and their first effort on target did not come until the 49th minute when Paul Pogba’s low shot was saved from 16 yards out.

They did create some chances after Gross’ goal with Rashford and substitute Jesse Lingard forcing saves from outside the box and Anthony Martial striking two efforts over the bar from 20 yards.

The Red Devils did have one final chance but Lingard shot wide under pressure from Shane Duffy.

This is the first time United have ever lost away to three newly promoted clubs in a league season – they have been beaten at Huddersfield, Newcastle and now at the Amex Stadium, the 58th different ground they have visited in the Premier League.

‘They beat us in the attitude’ – manager reaction

Brighton boss Chris Hughton to BBC Sport: “Manchester United showed the quality they’ve got. Without us putting in the work we did, we wouldn’t have got anything from the game.

“We’ve had three results – against Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United – where we’ve had to put in that kind of performance, and be good with the ball too. We deserved it tonight. Knockaert was outstanding, not just with the ball. Against teams like this you’ve got to work as hard without possession. It’s good to see him in that kind of form.

“With Pascal Gross, what’s been important for us is he hasn’t been injured and he’s always been available for us. We’ve probably been fortunate we’ve had a lot of players available in that area of the pitch.”

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho to BBC Sport: “Football was fair to the Brighton boys, they had a big target, they showed the point would be a big thing for them and gave everything for that.

“I couldn’t persuade my players that second place was very important to us. I know we can do it, we only have two matches to get the four points we need. They beat us in the attitude.

“For 10 months I get asked ‘why always Lukaku? Why always Lukaku, why always Lukaku? Why always this player? That guy doesn’t have a chance to start, the other one is on the bench.’ You know why now.”

Man of the match – Anthony Knockaert (Brighton)

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Stats – United’s first Friday Premier League defeat

• Brighton registered only their second win in 19 matches against Manchester United, their first since a 1-0 victory in the top flight in November 1982.
• Jose Mourinho has lost six of his past 10 away Premier League matches in the month of May (W1 D3).
• All seven of Pascal Gross’ Premier League goals have come at home – only four players have scored more Premier League goals exclusively at home in the competition’s history – Georginio Wijnaldum (18), Clive Wilson (9), Ronny Johnsen (8) and Jeff Kenna (8).
• This was Manchester United’s first league defeat on a Friday since December 1978, when they lost 3-0 at Bolton – they had been unbeaten in 16 such matches.
• The Red Devils have now lost at all three of the stadiums they’ve played at for the first time in the Premier League this season (John Smith’s Stadium, Wembley and the Amex).
• It the first time they had lost three matches against newly promoted sides in a league season since 1989-90 – as well as the first time ever losing all three away from home.

What’s next?

Brighton will be glad their safety has been secured as they visit Premier League champions Manchester City on Wednesday (20:00 BST). United go to David Moyes’ West Ham, who are not safe yet, on Thursday (19:45 BST).

Live Text

Match ends, Brighton and Hove Albion 1, Manchester United 0.

Second Half ends, Brighton and Hove Albion 1, Manchester United 0.

Offside, Manchester United. Nemanja Matic tries a through ball, but Chris Smalling is caught offside.

Scott McTominay (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Leonardo Ulloa (Brighton and Hove Albion).

Substitution, Brighton and Hove Albion. Leonardo Ulloa replaces Glenn Murray.

Attempt missed. Anthony Martial (Manchester United) header from the left side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Ashley Young with a cross.

Attempt blocked. Paul Pogba (Manchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Nemanja Matic.

Substitution, Brighton and Hove Albion. Solly March replaces José Izquierdo.

Foul by Chris Smalling (Manchester United).

Glenn Murray (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Attempt missed. Jesse Lingard (Manchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Marcus Rashford.

Substitution, Brighton and Hove Albion. Beram Kayal replaces Pascal Groß.

Attempt missed. Paul Pogba (Manchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Luke Shaw.

Chris Smalling (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Glenn Murray (Brighton and Hove Albion).

Foul by Scott McTominay (Manchester United).

Glenn Murray (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Attempt missed. Anthony Martial (Manchester United) left footed shot from the left side of the box is too high. Assisted by Juan Mata with a cross.

Attempt missed. Paul Pogba (Manchester United) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Anthony Martial.

Substitution, Manchester United. Scott McTominay replaces Marcos Rojo.

Attempt missed. Anthony Martial (Manchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Juan Mata.

Attempt saved. Jesse Lingard (Manchester United) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Nemanja Matic.

Attempt saved. Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Juan Mata.

Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Dale Stephens.

Substitution, Manchester United. Jesse Lingard replaces Marouane Fellaini.

Substitution, Manchester United. Luke Shaw replaces Matteo Darmian.

Attempt missed. Juan Mata (Manchester United) left footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high from a direct free kick.

Pascal Groß (Brighton and Hove Albion) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Juan Mata (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Foul by Pascal Groß (Brighton and Hove Albion).

Attempt missed. José Izquierdo (Brighton and Hove Albion) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the left following a corner.

Corner, Brighton and Hove Albion. Conceded by Nemanja Matic.

Goal! Brighton and Hove Albion 1, Manchester United 0. Pascal Groß (Brighton and Hove Albion) header from very close range to the centre of the goal.

Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Lewis Dunk.

Attempt blocked. Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United) header from the right side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Anthony Martial with a cross.

Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Bruno.

Corner, Brighton and Hove Albion. Conceded by Chris Smalling.

Attempt blocked. Anthony Knockaert (Brighton and Hove Albion) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Bruno.

Attempt saved. Paul Pogba (Manchester United) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Nemanja Matic.