Manchester City drew 2-2 with Brighton at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday as Pep Guardiola’s side coughed up more points in their quest to secure Champions League qualification.
WATCH – Full match replay
Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush gave City the lead twice but Pervis Estupinan and an own goal from Abdukodir Khusanov grabbed Brighton a deserved draw, as both teams had big chances to win it in the second half.
With the point City move on to 48 for the season, one point ahead of Brighton who continue their long unbeaten run.
City limping towards the Champions League
Pep Guardiola was relieved City grabbed a point against a dangerous and in-form Brighton. City created chances throughout and hit the post in the second half as they pushed to win 3-2. But equally Minteh and Baleba both missed huge chances for Brighton and City could have no complaints if they had lost. After a defeat to Nottingham Forest and a draw against Brighton in their last two Premier League games, City have given us a really good idea of where they’re currently at. It’s weird to see them struggling this much against European hopefuls but they are now in the bracket of being Champions League hopefuls and seeing a draw against the likes of Brighton as a positive result. Defensively they are so shaky and there is a real lack of confidence in attack. Next season they should be back on track but their growing pains remain and Champions League qualification would be a real achievement this season. That is the reality.
Manchester City vs Brighton player ratings (via FotMob.com)
What’s next?
City have an FA Cup quarterfinal at Bournemouth on March 30, then host Leicester on Wednesday, April 2. Brighton host Nottingham Forest in an FA Cup quarterfinal on Saturday, March 29 then host Aston Villa on Tuesday, April 1.
Manchester City vs Brighton score: 2-2
Haaland 11', Marmoush 39'; Estupinan 21', Khusanov OG 49'
Manchester City vs Brighton live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Huge chance for Brighton
Brighton break and the ball is played in to Baleba who is wide open. But he leans back and puts his shot way over the bar from 12 yards out. Brighton should be ahead!
Nico Gonzalez hits the post
Corner to the back post is headed towards goal by Nico Gonzalez and it hits the post and comes out.
Foden is on — Can anybody win it!?
Bit of a stalemate in this second half. City have brought on Phil Foden to try and win it late on.
Seagulls are almost ahead
A cross into the box from the left almost finds Minteh at the back post. He slides in but somehow misses the ball. How!?
Brighton are level! — Man City 2-2 Brighton
From that corner the ball bounces around the box and Hinshelwood’s shot deflects off Khusanov and in. Brighton deservedly level.
Minteh’s cross deflects just wide
Brighton are pushing and Minteh’s cross from the right deflects towards goal and goes out for a corner.
Half time: Man City 2-1 Brighton
This has been a superb first half. Three great finishes and proper end-to-end action. It could be 4-4! Plenty more of the same in the second half, please!
Joao Pedro almost squeezes it home
Brighton keep on plugging away and Joao Pedro beats Ruben Dias but his low shot squirms just wide of the post. What a game this is!
Marmoush smashes home a stunner! — Manchester City 2-1 Brighton
What a strike from the Egyptian star! City win the ball back and Marmoush takes a touch forward then drills in a low shot off the post. Beautiful finish.
Savinho shanks one wide
The Brazilian winger is in again but shanks his shot horribly wide. City are getting in often down the right.
Haaland blasts over
Gundogan whips in a cross and Haaland arrives but he slams his effort way over.
Savinho denied by Verburggen
City are in down the right and Savinho cuts in but his low shot is saved well down low by Verbruggen.
Beauty of a free kick from Estupinan — Manchester City 1-1 Brighton
Brighton are level! Estupinan whips a free kick off the post and in. What a hit.
Haaland slots home the penalty kick — Manchester City 1-0 Brighton
Marmoush is clipped in the box by Webster and it’s a clear penalty. Haaland steps up and slots home the penalty kick calmly. After that early scare, City are ahead.
Mitoma puts Brighton ahead... but it’s handball
Brighton thought they were ahead through Mitoma but handball is given and VAR checks it. Definite handball but Ortega made a mess of it.
Manchester City lineup
Ortega; Lewis, Kushanov, Dias, Gvardiol; Gonzalez, Gundogan; Savinho, Marmoush, Doku; Haaland
Brighton lineup
Verbruggen; Hinshelwood, van Hecke, Webster, Estupinan; Baleba, Gomez; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; Joao Pedro
Manchester City team news, focus
OUT: John Stones (thigh), Rodri (torn ACL - MORE), Manuel Akanji (groin), Nathan Ake (ankle) | QUESTIONABLE: Oscar Bobb (fitness)
Brighton & Hove Albion team news, focus
OUT: Tariq Lamptey (suspension), Lewis Dunk (abdominal), Igor Julio (hamstring), Jason Steele (shoulder), James Milner (thigh), Ferdi Kadioglu (toe), Joel Veltman (ankle) | QUESTIONABLE: Matthew O’Riley (knee)
Manchester City vs Brighton prediction
Erling Haaland has at least a goal or an assist in four career games against Brighton, including a marker in a Week 11 loss at the Amex Stadium. But Brighton have scored multiple goals in all four matches of their Premier League winning run and can overcome a scoring foe. Still.... Man City 3-2 Brighton.
Manchester City vs Brighton preview
Fifth-place Man City is two points off fourth and four points off third but have to concern themselves with three teams right behind them, one of them visiting the Etihad for Week 29.Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton have four-straight Premier League games and are just a point back of Man City, as the young German has picked up where Roberto De Zerbi left off in building a perennial top-half contender.
Joao Pedro leads a Brighton attack with plenty of fire, but the Seagulls’ injury list is long and Man City will be desperate to make amends for a shutout loss at Nottingham Forest.
How to watch Manchester City vs Brighton live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 11am ET Saturday
Venue: Eithad Stadium — Manchester
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Premier League on Peacock
