Manchester City’s blip turned into a crisis as Brighton scored twice in five minutes late on to beat the champions 2-1 – and inflict a fourth straight defeat on City for the first time under Pep Guardiola.
City came into the game on the back of three successive defeats to Bournemouth, Tottenham and Sporting – but their woes looked to be easing as the champions led with 12 minutes to go through Erling Haaland’s first-half strike.
But recently-injured duo Joao Pedro and Matt O’Riley – the latter on his delayed Premier League debut after an ankle problem stuttered his summer move from Celtic – stepped off the bench to send the Amex Stadium into raptures – not only costing City points in the title race, but taking Fabian Hurzeler’s side into the top four, for a few hours at least.
After dominating the early stages and taking the lead when Haaland burst through and poked past Bart Verbruggen at the second attempt, City stepped off the gas following the 30th minute, which allowed Brighton back into the game.
Erling Haaland strikes with determination to get the opener for Man City against Brighton
Man City’s Mateo Kovacic finds Erling Haaland, who is initially denied by Bart Verbruggen, but follows up to score from close range.
The Seagulls missed six big chances in the second period – amassing to 1.43 of Expected Goals – as Guardiola’s side got lucky while on the ropes.
Ederson was forced into a good save from Jack Hinshelwood’s header, while he also snuffed a one-on-one chance for Kaoru Mitoma. Georginio Rutter headed over a good chance, while his replacement Pedro dragged wide after being played through over the top.
Ederson blocks Hinshelwood’s close header!
Jack Hinshelwood’s header is denied by Ederson from close range as Brighton attempt to fight back against Man City.
But Brighton’s pressure eventually told as Danny Welbeck trapped a cross from the left, causing a goalmouth scramble. Pedro showed more initiative than the City defenders to slam home from close range.
