Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Arsenal: Maupay and Dunk stun Gunners after Pepe wonder strike

Posted Sunday, June 21, 2020 by Goal.com

Brighton's Neal Maupay and Lewis Dunk left Arsenal stunned after Nicolas Pepe lit up a deserted Amex Stadium with a wonderful opening goal.

Neal Maupay was a controversial hero as relegation-threatened Brighton and Hove Albion came from behind to earn a 2-1 win over Arsenal at the Amex Stadium.

Maupay was at the centre of a grim first-half incident, where a coming together with Bernd Leno resulted in the Arsenal goalkeeper suffering a serious-looking knee injury.

Arsenal hit the front through a sumptuous Nicolas Pepe strike in the 68th minute but lackadaisical defending from a short corner worked by Solly March and Yves Bissouma allowed Lewis Dunk to equalise seven minutes later.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was unable to hook an early cross from the recalled Pepe on target before Bukayo Saka fired a rasping 20-yarder against the crossbar amid a lively start from the visitors.

Dunk produced a last-ditch tackle to thwart Alexandre Lacazette – who would be similarly denied by Aaron Webster before half-time – and the France striker drew an excellent 31st-minute save from Mat Ryan, with Saka the provider for his improvised diving header.

All concerns were soon with Ryan's opposite number Leno, who was furious with Maupay as he left the field on a stretcher.

Replacement goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was alert to beat away a close-range Maupay strike at his near post before Ryan continued to enjoy supremacy in his duel with Aubameyang.

The Australia international had no chance when Pepe thrillingly came to the party, but after Dunk capitalised on Arsenal's mindless defending, Ryan kept out a fiercely swerving Aubameyang attempt.

And there was a sting in the tail as Alexis Mac Allister linked in slick fashion with Connolly and Maupay did the rest, before finding himself at the centre of an incensed Arsenal melee that showed scant regard for social distancing at the final whistle.