Erling Haaland scored his 20th Premier League goal of the season, but Manchester City still managed to drop two more points and could end the week eight points behind leaders Arsenal.
WATCH — Manchester City vs Brighton full match replay
Haaland’s goal was also his 150th in a Man City shirt (all competitions), but is the chance he failed to put away that will replay in his head tonight. With the game level at 1-1 in the 81st minute, Yasin Ayari gave the ball away deep in his own third and Rayan Cherki found Haaland with a clever pass near the penalty spot, but Haaland’s shot was tame and telegraphed for Bart Verbruggen to dive to his right and make the save with ease. Kaoru Mitoma got the equalizer for Brighton in the 60th minute, with a seeing-eye strike through a sea of bodies.
The draw sees Man City (43 points) remain 2nd in the table after Aston Villa (also on 43 points) drew Crystal Palace on Wednesday. Arsenal host Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on Thursday (3 pm ET). Brighton (29 points) hold steady in 11th.
What’s next?
- Manchester City vs Exeter City — Saturday, 10 am ET (FA Cup)
- Manchester United vs Brighton — Sunday, 11:30 am ET (FA Cup)
- Newcastle vs Manchester City — Tuesday, Jan. 13, 3 pm ET (League Cup)
- Manchester United vs Manchester City — Saturday, Jan. 17, 7:30 am ET (next PL fixture)
- Brighton vs Bournemouth — Monday, Jan. 19, 3 pm ET (next PL fixture)
Manchester City vs Brighton live updates - by Andy Edwards
Manchester City vs Brighton final score: 1-1
Goalscorers: Erling Haaland (41'), Koaru Mitoma (60')
GOAL! Man City 1-1 Brighton: Mitoma slides one through a sea of bodies (60')
GOAL! Man City 1-0 Brighton: Haaland scores his 150th City goal from the penalty spot (41')
Man City starting lineup
Donnarumma - Nunes, Khusanov, Alleyne, Ake - Gonzalez, Silva, Reijnders - Foden, Doku, Haaland
Brighton starting lineup
Verbruggen - Hinshelwood, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu - Ayari, Gross, Gomez - Mitoma, De Cuyper, Rutter
How to watch Manchester City vs Brighton live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 2:30pm ET Wednesday (January 7)
Venue: Etihad Stadium — East Manchester
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
City coughed up a late goal to draw at home with Chelsea on Sunday, as they’ve now drawn two games in a row and fallen six points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal. Injuries are also starting to mount up defensively as City are going through a sticky patch.
Brighton got back to winning ways on Saturday with a comfortable 2-0 win against Burnley. Fabian Hurzeler’s side are dangerous in attack and if they continue to improve at the back they are serious contenders for a top six finish.
Manchester City team news, focus
Josko Gvardiol has suffered a serious leg injury and will be out for a long time, while fellow center backs Ruben Dias and John Stones are also out. Nathan Ake is fit to play, while Rayan Ait-Nouri and Omar Marmoush are still away at AFCON. Guardiola will likely go with Khusanov and Ake at center back with O’Reilly at left back as he’s pretty much down to the last available center back pairing due to injuries. In attack Erling Haaland was left frustrated against Chelsea and he, Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki will look to start fast and set the tone.
Brighton team news, focus
The Seagulls will be without Mats Wieffer, while Yankuba Minteh is a doubt so will likely be on the bench. Pascal Gross could start after rejoining Brighton from Borussia Dortmund and he provides plenty of quality and experience in midfield. Brighton are so dangerous on the break and Mitoma, Rutter and Welbeck are all looking sharp.
Manchester City vs Brighton prediction
Even though they have defensive injuries, this seems like a game where City will use the anger of the last two results and take it out on Brighton. Go for a big home win. Manchester City 3-1 Brighton.
