Brighton 2, Manchester City 1
A blip has become a slump as Manchester City suffered a fourth consecutive defeat following a Premier League trip to Brighton.
Embed from Getty ImagesIt was the first time under Pep Guardiola that City had suffered four successive defeats and giving up an early lead to lose will have been especially galling after a bright first half gave way to dreadful second half in which they shipped two goals and let their lead slip away.
Erling Haaland had given the Blues a well worked 23rd minute lead after he was released by Mateo Kovacic.
But City failed to capitalise on a dominant first half and allowed their hosts back into the game in the second half as they created several chances down City’s right flank before they found a way through the City defensive lines.
Joao Pedro levelled the scores after 78 minutes when City failed to clear their lines while Matt O’Riley gave the home side the lead after 83 minutes after a defence splitting pass by Joao Pedro set the debutant free.
Jahmai Simpson-Pusey made his Premier League debut, and a second consecutive start, at Brighton as City manager Pep Guardiola made two changes from the side that was beaten at Sporting Lisbon in midweek and he was joined in central defence by Josko Gvardiol as Manuel Akanji was dropped to the bench.
Kyle Walker returned to the side with Ilkay Gundogan as Bernardo Silva was rested.
Savinho was denied by a close range save by the keeper while Erling Haaland also spooned a free kick over the bar.
But the Norwegian was not to be denied and Kovacic released him with a slide rule pass, his initial shot was blocked by the keeper but he reacted quickly to tap home the airborne rebound after 24 minutes.
It meant that Haaland had become the fastest player to record 75 Premier League goals – doing so in 77 appearances – well ahead of Alan Shearer who did it in 93 appearances.
2 minutes later his fierce shot was blocked by the keeper’s legs as City tried to press home the advantage.
In-form Danny Welbeck’s shot was blocked by Gvardiol despite a hint off handball which was dismissed by VAR as a natural position.
The ex-Manchester United striker also saw a free kick curl wide of the post.
Ederson’s reaction saved denied a certain equaliser from Jack Hinshelwood’s bullet header off a left wing cross by Pervis Estupinan which was too close to the Brazilian early in the second half
Hinshelwood had to go off with an injury not long after that but was replaced by Matt O’Riley who made his Premier League debut for the Seagulls.
Savinho curled an effort wide as City continued their first half domination well into the second half but could not find a second goal.
Georginio Rutter header over the bar after Estupinan continued to make inroads down City’s right flank when they had the ball while Mitoma’s cross came quickly to Welbeck who wasn’t prepared for it.
Joao Pedro also shot wide with the goal at his mercy under pressure from Walker.
City’s first change was in the 72nd minute, with Ilkay Gundogan making way for Bernardo Silva. And Kevin De Bruyne was on shortly afterwards for Savinho.
Joao Pedro finally struck after City could not stem the tide of the attacks, another ball from the left found Welbeck but City could not clear the loose ball and the Brighton forward struck.
And with 7 minutes to go O’Riley popped up with the goal to put the Seagulls in front running onto a Joao Pedro through ball to score again.
City struggled to get an impact on the game – Gvardiol headed wide in injury time – as they faded away to defeat.