Brighton secured an incredible comeback win against Manchester City at the Amex on Sunday, as Pep Guardiola’s side have suffered back-to-back defeats as they showed more growing pains.
WATCH — Full match replay
Erling Haaland gave City the lead in the first half but Brighton dominated the second half as a quadruple sub seemed to swing the game in their favor. Veteran James Milner equalized from the penalty spot then a fellow sub Brajan Gruda scored the winner in the 89th minute to send the Brighton fans wild.
The win moves Brighton on to four points from their opening three games, while City have three points and Guardiola has a lot of work to do.
City prove there is a long road ahead
When you make this many new signings and move on so many experienced players it is obviously risky. Everyone expects Man City and Pep Guardiola to figure it out, but the start to the season has been ugly. They were deservedly beaten at Brighton on Sunday as they never truly got going. In the second half they stalled badly and their subs looked lost and Brighton were all over them and looked fitter, sharper and more confident in what they are doing. Just like against Spurs last week, City were overpowered, especially in midfield. The balance is off and City look shaky at the back on transitions. For all of their wonderful attacking talent and ability on the ball, Guardiola needs to build a solid defensive platform to kick-start this new-look side. When he does that, City can get back to winning games ruthlessly.
What’s next?
Brighton head to Bournemouth on Saturday, September 13. Man City have the small matter of hosting Manchester United in the derby on Sunday, September 14.
Brighton vs Manchester City score: 2-1
Milner 67', Gruda 89'; Haaland 34'
Brighton vs Manchester City live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Gruda scores!
Brighton get the goal they deserve. They are ahead! Substitute Gruda rounds Ait Nouri and Trafford and slots home. Brighton go crazy! What a turnaround!
Trafford makes a top save!
Brighton’s Van Hecke sees his shot from close range deflect towards the top corner and somehow Trafford claws it away.
Ruben Dias with a big block
Brighton look the more likely to win it late on. Man City are really lacking in energy. Ruben Dias makes a big block and Brighton keep pouring forward.
Minteh curls inches wide!
Yankuba Minteh has been a real threat and he beats Khusanov to the ball and then cuts inside before curling just wide of the far post. Brighton close to taking the lead.
Penalty to Brighton! James Milner scores! 1-1!
Dunk’s shot at the back post is clearly blocked by Matheus Nunes with his arm stretched high. Penalty kick is given. VAR is checking but the penalty stands... James Milner, on his 640th Premier League appearance, slots home. The sub and former City player has Brighton level with 23 minutes to go.
Trafford makes a big save!
Minteh is clean through and Khusanov does just enough to put him off, then Trafford makes a good save as he stays tall to push the shot over.
Marmoush almost finds Bobb at the back stick
Lovely ball from the Egyptian forward with the outside of his foot but Oscar Bobb sliding in at the back post can’t quite get on the end of it.
Half time: Brighton 0-1 Manchester City
So far so good for Man City. Erling Haaland could have scored two or three but he has one and that is the difference. Brighton have looked dangerous on the counter at times, but City have been the better team.
There it is, Haaland puts Man City ahead!
Oscar Bobb does really well to find Omar Marmoush and he bundles the ball through to Erling Haaland who prods home to put Man City ahead. They’ve really cranked through the gears in the last few minutes and deserve the lead. On his 100th Premier League appearance, Haaland has just scored his 88th goal, which is another new record. Incredible.
Haaland drags an effort wide, then has a header denied!
City’s main man has another pop at goal but he drags it harmlessly wide. It feels like Haaland is just getting warmed up, and a cross is then clipped in by Ait-Nouri which he heads towards goal but Verbruggen punches it off the line.
Trafford denies Mitoma!
Great counter from Brighton and Mitoma is in. He is off balance a little but still drills a shot across goal which is going in but James Trafford makes a fine stop down low.
Haaland is through but his shot is weak, then tempers flare
Erling Haaland is played in and he is running on goal. But his effort is weak. After that he lashes out at Van Hecke as the duo get into it.
Diego Gomez is down and Brighton are furious
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler is not happy at all. Diego Gomez went in to a challenge with Tijjani Reijnders and the Dutch midfielders caught Gomez high on his ankle with the follow through. That is a nasty one. No action will be taken against Reijnders but that has livened things up on the sidelines.
Brighton lineup
Verbruggen; Veltman, van Hecke, Dunk, De Cuyper; Baleba, Gomez, Hinshelwood; Minteh, Welbeck, Mitoma
Manchester City lineup
Trafford; Nunes, Khusanov, Stones, Ait-Nouri; Rodri, Bernardo Silva; Bobb, Reijnders, Marmoush; Haaland
Brighton team news, focus
OUT: Julio Enciso (knee), Adam Webster (knee), Solly March (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Georginio Rutter (undisclosed)
Manchester City team news, focus
OUT: Mateo Kovacic (calf), Josko Gvardiol (knock), Savinho (undisclosed), Kalvin Phillips (achilles), Marcus Bettinelli (knock)
Brighton vs Manchester City prediction
Brighton need a win, but Man City need a win, and sometimes that’s all it takes. Brighton 1-3 Manchester City.
Brighton vs Manchester City preview
Man City (6th, 3 points) were comprehensively beaten 2-0 by Tottenham Hotspur last weekend and it was notably the expensive summer signings who struggled their ways through from first to last whistle. Midfielders Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders (signed for a combined $108 million) struggled with the tempo and physicality of Spurs as the visitors bossed the midfield and City struggled to create chances despite having 61 percent of possession. Goalkeeper James Trafford ($36 million this summer) also had a rough outing as he practically gave the ball to Spurs inside his own penalty area for a goal, not to mention a few more nervy moments in the first two games.
Brighton (18th, 1 point), a club constantly rebuilding and reloading, are in the midst of another difficult transition period following Joao Pedro’s move to Chelsea ($82 million). 180 Premier League minutes later, the typically soaring Seagulls have just one goal (from the penalty spot) despite amassing 3.8 xG against Everton and Fulham. Fabian Hurzler’s side scored the 5th-most goals (66) in the Premier League as Pedro provided 10 goals, 6 assists last season.
How to watch Brighton vs Manchester City live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 9am ET, Sunday
Venue: Amex Stadium — Brighton
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
