Pep Guardiola fell to a fourth successive defeat for the first time as Manchester City boss as Brighton came from behind to beat his Premier League champions. It is the first time since 2006 that City have lost four in a row.
Manchester City looked on course to end their disappointing sequence when Erling Haaland capped an impressive opening at Amex Stadium in the 23rd minute, scoring at the second attempt from Mateo Kovacic’s pass.
Manchester City’s road to what they hoped would be a recovery from recent setbacks took a back-turn later in the game.
Brighton took increasing encouragement from the weaknesses in defence of a City side who struggled against a wave of attacks without the composure usually afforded by experienced duo Ruben Dias and John Stones.
City gradually lost their cool and were hanging on well before substitute Joao Pedro emerged from a melee to finally put the Seagulls level.
Without the world-class presence of Rodri in midfield to steady the rocking ship, City are now giving opponents the sort of hope and encouragement they have rarely been offered in recent years, with Brighton’s full-tilt attacking style under Fabian Hurzeler primed to cash in.
Credit: bbc.com
