MAHDNESS!

Dahoud's daft red leaves Seagulls boss in a flap

- NEIL McLEMAN

ROBERTO DE ZERBI said "there was only one team on the pitch" before Mahmoud Dahoud's stupid dismissal saw Sheffield United nearly snatched a shock win on the south coast.

Simon Adingra gave Brighton a deserved first-half lead with a brilliant goal.

But the Seagulls were not able to convert their domination into a second goal before the German midfielder was sent off after the break.

And Adam Webster then diverted Jayden Bogle's low cross into his own net before the Sheffield United wing-back missed a great late chance to win a topsy-turvy game.

Since their open European defeat at home by AEK Athens, which they followed with a home win over Bournemouth, De Zerbi's team have drawn their last three Premier League games following Europa League matches.

They also got thrashed 6-1 at Aston Villa following the Carabao Cup defeat at Chelsea as they struggle to adapt to their increased workload.

But the Italian said: "When you analyse the game well, there wasn't a game until the red card.

"There was only one team on the pitch. Brighton could have won the game two or three-nil. And after the red card, the game changed.

"With one player less, we lost order and our style.