Brighton Battles Back Twice to Secure Draw as Manchester City Miss Out on Vital Points

Brighton & Hove Albion showcased resilience as they fought back twice to secure a commendable 2-2 draw against Manchester City, a fellow contender for a top-four finish in the Premier League. This result means City has yet to lose at home against the Seagulls in their last 15 league encounters (W12, D3).

Both teams entered the fixture involved in an unexpected contest for a top-four position.

Brighton started brightly and almost found the net early, as Kaoru Mitoma pushed the ball over the line from a Jack Hinshelwood cross within just seven minutes. However, the goal was disallowed due to a handball by the Japanese international.

Despite their strong opening, Brighton soon found themselves trailing. On the 11-minute mark, a foul on Omar Marmoush in the penalty area allowed Erling Haaland to slot in a penalty, making him the first player in Premier League history to reach 100 goal involvements in under 100 matches – with 84 goals and 16 assists in just 94 games.

Yet, Fabian Hurzeler’s side refused to be disheartened by the setback. They responded midway through the first half, with Pervis Estupinan equalising magnificently with a curling free-kick that struck the post on its way in – marking the Ecuadorian’s first Premier League goal since December 2023.

City quickly sought to regain their lead, with Haaland missing a golden opportunity as he fired over the bar after being set up by İlkay Gundogan.

Haaland is no longer the sole scorer for City, as January signing Marmoush is contributing significantly, and he struck again less than ten minutes before half-time, sending a precise shot into the bottom corner from 25 yards out.

The second half began in similar fashion to the first, with plenty of action leading to Brighton equalising for a second time.

Just three minutes into the second half, City failed to clear a corner, resulting in Hinshelwood’s shot taking a deflection off Abdukodir Khusanov for an own goal.

Brighton nearly took the lead moments later, but Diego Gomez’s cross to the back post was missed by Yankuba Minteh, who had a chance to finish from close range.

On the other end, Marmoush sought his second goal of the day, only to be denied by a fantastic save from Bart Verbruggen inside the area.

City pressed hard for a third goal, but they were thwarted late in the match as Nico Gonzalez’s header from a corner rattled the post, courtesy of Gundogan’s delivery.

Brighton remained a threat on the counterattack, with an opportunity to take the lead going begging as Carlos Baleba blazed a shot over the bar from a good position at the back post.

Ultimately, neither team could secure that elusive third goal, leaving City’s inconsistency intact. Guardiola’s side now sits a point adrift of the top four, having played one extra match compared to fourth-placed Chelsea.

While Brighton’s streak of six straight wins has come to an end, the Seagulls remain firmly in contention for a European spot.