United earn dramatic win at Brighton, Real Madrid beat Betis
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Players of Manchester United celebrate during the Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion in Brighton, UK, September 26, 2020. /CFP

Players of Manchester United celebrate during the Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion in Brighton, UK, September 26, 2020. /CFP

Manchester United defeated Brighton & Hove Albion 3-2 in the Premier League on Saturday after an incredible finale in which Bruno Fernandes struck the winning goal from the penalty spot in the ninth minute of stoppage time.

Neal Maupay had given away the penalty with a handball, which led to a VAR review, after referee Chris Kavanagh had blown the full-time whistle.

Kavanagh eventually gave the penalty and Fernandes lashed into the net from the spot, moments after Solly March had leveled for Brighton in the fifth minute of added time.

A brilliant solo strike from Marcus Rashford had given United the lead in the 55th minute after Rashford and Mason Greenwood had goals ruled out for offside and Brighton had seen a penalty decision overturned by a VAR review.

Brighton, who hit the woodwork five times, took the lead when Maupay coolly slotted in a penalty in the 40th minute after a foul by Fernandes.

But the visitors soon leveled with an own goal from Brighton defender Lewis Dunk, who tried to prevent United captain Harry Maguire from reaching a Nemanja Matic pass following a free kick but instead sent the ball into the net.

Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring the third goal of his team during the LaLiga match against Real Betis in Seville, Spain, September 26, 2020. /CFP

Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring the third goal of his team during the LaLiga match against Real Betis in Seville, Spain, September 26, 2020. /CFP

Separately, Real Madrid edged Real Betis 3-2 in an eventful game for their first win of the Liga season on Saturday, thanks to a late Sergio Ramos penalty that was furiously protested by the hosts.

Madrid captain Ramos again showed nerves of steel to chip the ball into the net from the spot after a VAR review for a handball by defender Marc Bartra, who appeared to have been pushed by visiting forward Borja Mayoral.

Earlier in the second half, Betis defender Emerson was shown a straight red card for a foul on Luka Jovic following a VAR review, while Madrid's equalizer, given as an own goal by Emerson, was awarded after another VAR intervention ruled that Karim Benzema had been onside in the build-up.

Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde had given the champions a 14th minute lead with a close-range finish after fine work by Benzema on the byline.

But Betis struck twice in quick succession through Aissa Mandi and William Carvalho to take a 2-1 halftime lead.

Madrid's run to last season's title was aided by a series of refereeing decisions going their way, but Ramos did not think his side were receiving special treatment.

"Sometimes the referee goes against us, other times the decisions are in our favor, but I don't think it's intentional at all," said the defender, who finished last season with a career-best 11 goals.

Ramos also said his side needed to be more consistent.

"It was a difficult game but this is what makes football special. We played well in the first 15 minutes then we gifted them the ball and a team like Betis who know how to play well will always create chances and score against you," he added.

"We have to learn from today because we're not always going to be able to react like we did. But today we got away with it as we had an excellent second half."

(With input from agencies)