Brighton pulled off a dramatic late comeback to defeat Manchester City 2-1, dealing the champions their fourth consecutive loss – a rare and troubling streak in Pep Guardiola’s career.
This defeat added to City’s woes, as it followed three other disappointing results against Bournemouth, Tottenham, and Sporting. While City began the match looking to bounce back, Brighton’s last-minute surge turned what had appeared to be a recovery into another painful setback.
City initially appeared to be regaining their form, especially as they took control early in the game. The team’s intensity was clear in the first half, and their efforts paid off when Erling Haaland broke through the Brighton defense.
After his initial shot was blocked, Haaland pounced on the rebound, driving the ball past Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and securing a first-half lead for City.
It was a much-needed goal for the team and seemed like it might turn the tide, as they held onto their narrow advantage heading into the final minutes.
However, after the 30th minute, City’s momentum gradually faded. They appeared to ease off, allowing Brighton to find their rhythm and claw their way back into the match. As City’s intensity lessened, Brighton’s confidence grew.
Seizing the opportunity, Brighton applied more pressure and began looking increasingly threatening in the latter stages of the game.
The defining moments came when Brighton made game-changing substitutions, introducing Joao Pedro and Matt O’Riley off the bench.
O’Riley, who had recently recovered from an ankle injury that had delayed his Premier League debut following a summer transfer from Celtic, entered the fray with Pedro. Both players had an immediate impact, fueling Brighton’s resurgence.
Within five minutes, Brighton managed to turn the game around with two quick-fire goals that left the Amex Stadium erupting with excitement. The late strikes stunned City, who were left scrambling as Brighton secured a memorable victory.
This loss not only cost Manchester City valuable points in the title race but also temporarily propelled Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton side into the league’s top four.
While City had hoped for a morale-boosting win to end their losing streak, the late-game collapse underscored the deeper issues plaguing the team.
For Guardiola, this fourth consecutive defeat is a rare and concerning occurrence, marking only the second time he has experienced such a streak in his career.
As City continue to face setbacks, the mounting losses have transformed what initially seemed like minor hiccups into a potentially season-defining crisis.
With Brighton’s late heroics sealing City’s latest disappointment, Guardiola and his squad are now left searching for solutions to reverse their troubling decline.
