By Samuel A. November 10, 2024
Manchester City woes continue, as another damning loss against Brighton takes them to a fourth straight defeat in all competitions, thus, earning Brighton & Hove Albion a 2-1 win in the Premier League. City started the game the better of the two sides, dominating possession and creating numerous chances, and it looked like they were finally getting back to winning ways on the night. Erling Haaland made it 1-0 after 23 minutes, latching onto a Mateo Kovacic pass before lashing home past Bart Verbruggen. It was his 75th goal in the Premier League in what was his 77th appearance in the competition, making him the fastest player to reach that number. Just two minutes later Haaland was involved again, this time striking the post with a low effort.
After failing to register a single shot on target in the first half, Brighton came out for the second half a different team, looking to get forward and play with more attacking intent and after 52 minutes they had their first big chance, with Jack Hinshelwood heading an effort from point blank range straight down the middle at Ederson.
Fabian Hurzeler’s side equalised through substitute Joao Pedro after 78 minutes, with the Brazilian pouncing after a goalmouth scramble, screaming “I’M BACK” to the camera after being out for about a month. O’Riley, another substitute, then scored the winner for Brighton after 83 minutes, latching onto Joao Pedro’s pass before lifting the ball over Ederson to earn Brighton all three points at the Amex.
Pep Guardiola walked into his press conference after Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat at Brighton and was asked if he now faces his biggest challenge at the club.
“Yeah, like when we won 16 or 17 games in a row to win the Premier League right?” he replied. The City boss was talking about four years ago, when City started the Premier League campaign with five wins from their opening 12, just like now – they were five points off the leaders at this early stage. City went on to win 15 games in a row to take the title that year.
Even Guardiola admitted it, after this latest loss to Brighton. “Against Fulham, we played so much worse than against Spurs and Sporting,” he said.
The November international break starts on Monday, giving the manager enough time to go to his drawing board and create a solution, as he has always done.
