Manchester City suffered a fourth consecutive loss across all competitions after going down 2-1 to Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday night.
Premier League
Result: Brighton and Hove Albion 2-1 Manchester City
Date: 09 November 2024
Venue: AMEX Stadium
Man City had a makeshift centre-back pairing of Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, who made his first league start alongside Kyle Walker while Erling Haaland led the attack, just ahead of Phil Foden and Ilkay Gundogan.
Pep Guardiola's charges were threatening in the early stages and on 16 minutes Savinho had a big chance after he went through on goal but goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen quickly closed his angle and a made a save from close-range in a one-on-one.
As City kept coming, Haaland eventually broke the deadlock six minutes later with a strike from a rebound after his initial shot was saved by Verbruggen from a through ball by Mateo Kovacic.
Brighton improved their attacking game towards the end of the first stanza, as they were knocking on the door but they did not have the killer instinct, as The Citizens took a narrow lead to the interval.
The Seagulls had a bright start in the second stanza as five minutes from the break Kaoru Mitoma had a wonderful chance after a cross found him unmarked at the back post but he went for a cut-back across goal which was blocked.
Fabian Hurzeler continued to dictate terms after the hour-mark, as they made City to backpedal for most periods but they could not carve out openings.
Guardiola looked to add bite in their attack on counter-attacks with 17 minutes to go, as Kevin De Bruyne replaced Savinho.
However, Brighton's pressure finally paid off 12 minutes before time after Joao Pedro levelled matters with a powerful finish from a scramble in the box.
The hosts continued to have momentum after that and with seven minutes to go, Matt O'Riley gave them a 2-1 lead with a low finish from a one-on-one with Verbruggen after a through ball by Pedro.
City had nine minutes of added time to try rescue the game and Josko Gvardiol came close to making it 2-2 deep in stoppages with a free diving header that missed wide.
The Citizens, second on the log, remained two points behind leaders Liverpool, who play against Aston Villa later in the night.
