Substitute Jack Hinshelwood netted a dramatic late winner, confirmed by VAR, as Brighton & Hove Albion twice came from behind to defeat Premier League champions Liverpool 3-2 at home on Sunday, May 18, 2025. The victory keeps Brighton’s slim aspirations of qualifying for European football next season alive.
Liverpool, who had already secured the league title on April 28, opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Harvey Elliott finished from close range following a well-worked attack. Brighton responded in the 32nd minute, with midfielder Yasin Ayari finding the net to level the scores. However, the visitors regained the lead just before halftime through a dipping cross-shot from Dominik Szoboszlai that eluded Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
Brighton manager Fabian Huerzeler made impactful substitutions in the second half. Japan international Kaoru Mitoma, introduced in the 64th minute, scored the hosts’ second equaliser just four minutes later, skilfully converting a rebound from a Danny Welbeck effort.
The decisive moment arrived in the 85th minute. Twenty-year-old Jack Hinshelwood, who had only been on the pitch for a minute, fired home from a Matt O’Riley pass. The goal was initially disallowed for a suspected offside, but after a lengthy VAR review, the decision was overturned, awarding Brighton the lead.
“Coming off the bench, I wanted to come into the game and make a great impact and work my hardest,” Hinshelwood said post-match. “I think the ball comes across and it sat up perfectly and I tapped it in – there was a nervous wait until the goal was allowed but when it was allowed it was pure relief.”
The win moves Brighton to eighth place in the Premier League standings with 58 points. Their chances of playing in Europe next season hinge on securing eighth position and Chelsea winning the UEFA Conference League, along with other results potentially falling in their favour.
Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott, despite the defeat, looked towards their final game and upcoming trophy presentation. “You try not to get too carried away with the celebrations, we’ve worked really hard through the season… we want to win and enjoy it,” he said. “We need to take the positives (from this game) and take it into the final game.”
Brighton will travel to face Tottenham Hotspur in their final match of the season on Sunday, May 25. Liverpool will host FA Cup winners Crystal Palace at Anfield, after which they will be presented with the Premier League trophy.
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