Manchester City suffer 4th successive defeat in all competitions
Brighton & Hove Albion stunned reigning champions Manchester City, defeating them 2-1 in the Premier League. The defeat is the fourth in a row for Pep Guardiola's side, a low point that has only happened once in his managerial career. Despite an early lead by Erling Haaland, Brighton staged an impressive comeback with two goals in the last 12 minutes of the match.
Brighton's comeback heroes: Pedro and O'Riley
Joao Pedro and Matt O'Riley, both recently back from injuries, became the heroes for Brighton. The duo came off the bench to score two goals in quick succession, turning the match in their favor. This win not only dented City's title race but also pushed Brighton into the top four of the Premier League table.
Manchester City's performance and Guardiola's reaction
Despite dominating the early stages of the match, Manchester City couldn't keep up the momentum. Their performance dipped after the 30th minute, allowing Brighton to gain ground. Sky Sports's Jamie Redknapp described it as "one of the worst halves of football I have seen from a Pep Guardiola side," highlighting their inability to defend or win individual battles during this period.
Brighton's pressure pays off with late goals
Brighton's relentless pressure eventually bore fruit as Danny Welbeck trapped a cross from the left, resulting in a goalmouth scramble. Pedro capitalized on the opportunity to score from close range. Five minutes later, he assisted O'Riley in scoring another goal for Brighton. The late goals tilted the match's balance heavily in Brighton's favor and Manchester City's disfavor.
Match stats and points table
Manchester City owned 60.5 ball possession and had six shots on target from 15 attempts. Brighton managed four shots on target from 10 attempts. Brighton had 2.26 expected goals compared to City's 2.16. Brighton had 20 touches in the opponent's box compared to City's 27. In terms of the points table, 2nd-placed City have 23 points after 11 matches (W7 D2 L2). Brighton are 4th with 19 points from 11 games (W5 D4 L2).
Decoding the key records scripted
Man City have lost four straight games for the first time since 2006. On the other hand, Guardiola has lost four successive games in all competitions for the first time in his managerial career. For the first time since May 2021, City have lost a Premier League tie when leading at half-time. For the 2nd time in 15 Premier League clashes, Brighton have beaten Man City. Both of these wins have come at the Amex Stadium.
