Manchester City’s Woes Continue as Brighton Stun Champions with 2-1 Win

Manchester City’s disastrous run continued on Saturday as Brighton & Hove Albion completed a dramatic 2-1 comeback to hand Pep Guardiola’s side a fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions. This marks the first time in Guardiola’s illustrious managerial career that his team has suffered such a losing streak.

City arrived at the Amex Stadium already reeling from defeats to Tottenham, Bournemouth, and Sporting CP, but appeared to be on course for a much-needed win when Erling Haaland’s first-half goal put them 1-0 ahead. However, the Seagulls roared back after the break, with substitutes Joao Pedro and Matt O’Riley scoring in quick succession to leave City stunned and still without a win since mid-October.

Guardiola’s men started the match in dominant fashion, controlling possession and creating early chances. Haaland, on the hunt for his 75th Premier League goal, found the back of the net in the 23rd minute after a scrappy sequence in the box. His first shot was saved by Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen, but Haaland pounced on the rebound, poking the ball over the line despite a late challenge from defender Jan Paul van Hecke.

It could have been 2-0 moments later, but Haaland’s low strike from a tight angle hit the post, with Verbruggen beaten. Brighton, by contrast, struggled in the first half, failing to register a single shot on target.

The second half, however, was a different story. Brighton came out with renewed energy, and City’s defensive frailties were exposed yet again. The hosts should have equalized early in the second period, with Jack Hinshelwood heading straight at Ederson from close range. Brighton’s pressure continued to build, and after a series of missed opportunities, their persistence finally paid off in the 78th minute.

Joao Pedro, who had been introduced as a substitute just 12 minutes earlier, was in the right place at the right time to capitalize on a goalmouth scramble. The Brazilian reacted first to slam the ball past Ederson, making it 1-1 and setting the stage for a grandstand finish.

The turnaround was complete just five minutes later when Pedro turned provider. Picking out the onrushing Matt O’Riley, Pedro’s perfectly weighted pass allowed the debutant to score with a composed finish, lifting the ball over Ederson to send the Amex Stadium into raptures.

For Guardiola, the loss is the latest blow in what has been a deeply frustrating few weeks. The result means City have now conceded 10 goals in their last four matches, with their defense looking alarmingly porous in the absence of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. The team’s struggles at the back were evident once again as Brighton relentlessly pressed forward after the break.

In his post-match comments, Guardiola lamented his team’s inability to maintain their performance for a full 90 minutes, acknowledging that injuries have taken their toll but refusing to use them as an excuse. “The problem is not that we are playing badly,” he said. “We are playing well, but we need to do it for 90 minutes, not 60. We need to manage the game better.”

The result means City head into the international break off the pace in the Premier League, with key fixtures against Tottenham and Liverpool on the horizon. Guardiola will be hoping for a turnaround as the defending champions look to regain their form after the break.

“This win shows the spirit of this team,” Hurzeler said. “We’ve had tough moments, but today we showed that we can turn things around against the best teams. We have a lot to build on from this.”