Brighton & Hove Albion lost 1-0 to Leeds in the 96th minute
Final-day clash with Manchester United awaits
Pascal Gross admitted Brighton & Hove Albion’s 1-0 defeat to Leeds United was “really sore” as the Seagulls were left to reflect on missed chances ahead of a decisive final-day clash with Manchester United.
A 96th-minute strike from Dominic Calvert-Lewin at Elland Road condemned Fabian Hurzeler’s side to a damaging defeat in a match they largely controlled but failed to put away, leaving their European hopes hanging in the balance.
Gross reflects on Elland Road defeat
Gross, Brighton’s most influential performer on the day, reflected on a frustrating afternoon in which the visitors created enough to win but left empty-handed.
He said: “Very painful, very frustrated because I thought in the second half we played very well.”
“We created enough opportunities to win the game by ourselves, a lot of chances where we couldn’t get the lead.”
Despite Brighton registering 19 shots and dominating possession for long periods, they were undone late on after a defensive error allowed Calvert-Lewin to finish into an empty net.
“In the end, to lose it like that is really sore,” Gross added.
Late blow leaves Brighton frustrated
The German midfielder felt Brighton’s inability to convert their dominance into goals was the decisive factor. Leeds’ goalkeeper Karl Darlow was called into action on several occasions throughout the contest.
Brighton had earlier gone close through Gross himself, while he also played a key creative role in a second half where the Seagulls pushed for a breakthrough that never came.
Asked whether there were positives to take into the season finale, the German remained measured despite the frustration.
He said: “I think every game is very different. Today, we had the chance to take it and we didn’t do it. That is the disappointing thing, that is the frustration.”
Brighton now head into their final Premier League fixture knowing victory over Manchester United at the Amex Stadium is required to keep their European ambitions alive.
Even so, Gross believes the focus must shift quickly after a painful setback in West Yorkshire.
“We can be frustrated today and from tomorrow we will focus all week and prepare ourselves very well for the last game,” he said.
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