Match Report and Player Ratings: Brighton and Hove Albion 2-1 Manchester City (Premier League) | OneFootball

Manchester City compounded their dismal defeat to Spurs last week by throwing away the match on their trip to Brighton, losing 2-1 in almost exactly the same circumstances as they did the same fixture last season.

Albion can be a threat for any team on their day but City had near-total control of the opening period, and took the lead when Erling Haaland snaffled home from close range.

That potential to be dangerous was fulfilled by the hosts in the second-half though, first when Matheus Nunes literally handed them a penalty for James Milner to stick away, then in the closing stages when Brajan Gruda broke free and punished City for their failure to kill the game.

In a battle of two teams who try to play on the front foot and push players high up the pitch, chances were always likely to come with runs in behind, and the first opportunity was afforded to Haaland when he burst onto Omar Marmoush’s pass inside ten minutes; his shot was tame though and easy to field for Bart Verbruggen.

Ten minutes later, Brighton created a similar opening for their first sight of goal, springing Kaoru Mitoma in behind and seeing the Japanese winger force James Trafford into a sprawling save to tip it narrowly behind.

Despite the hosts beginning to crank up what pressure they could muster, some City breaks through the lines allowed Haaland a further two efforts, but the Norwegian first shot wide from the edge of the area then put his header down the barrel for Verbruggen to beat away.

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try and for a fourth time try again though, and Haaland was never going to miss the chance from which he broke the deadlock shortly after the half-hour mark; Oscar Bobb advanced the ball well and gave it to Marmoush, who battled under pressure in the area and nutmegged Jan Paul van Hecke, finding Haaland with all the time and space required to slot past Verbruggen.

City controlled the remainder of a half which they never really allowed to ignite with their suffocation of the game, and started the second period in similar fashion, also managed to carve out the half’s first chance when Marmoush drilled one across the face for Bobb and he couldn’t quite divert on target with his stretching shot.

That, and a quadruple substitution from the clearly frustrated Fabian Hurzeler, seemed to wake Brighton up, and they immediately tested Trafford again when Yankuba Minteh raced away on the break and stung the City no.1’s palms.

The hosts were galvanised and soon had something to cheer even louder; Nunes ridiculously raised his arms and handled in the area, allowing Milner the chance to snatch a leveller from the penalty spot against his former side, which he duly did.

The game had done a complete 180, and Brighton were resurgent – Minteh threatened again, nutmegging Rayan Ait-Nouri and swinging his weak foot at it, worrying Trafford but not quite getting it inside the far post.

And just when it seemed that the spoils would be shared, Mitoma managed to put Gruda clean in on goal, with the substitute keeping his feet to send Trafford and Ait-Nouri sprawling, before tapping into the empty net and turning what had been an ideal start to the Premier League season for City into a nightmare.

Here’s how we rated the players in Manchester City’s gut-punch of a defeat to Brighton.

Starting XI

James Trafford – 6.5

Brighton couldn’t put him under the kind of pressure which Spurs did to draw the error last week, giving him a comfortable enough afternoon with the ball at his feet. Repelled most of the hosts’ efforts to beat him, but can’t be blamed for being beaten by a penalty and one-on-one.

Matheus Nunes – 4

Some good work to resist pressure down his side in the first-half was undone totally by the bizarre penalty he gave away.

John Stones – 6

Totally unflustered in possession, despite being given the ball under some heavy pressure at times. Acted as more of the reserved member of his partnership with Khusanov.

Abdukodir Khusanov – 6

Was always likely to be the more active of the two central defenders due to his combative nature, and certainly wasn’t shy to throw his weight around. Paid off more at times than others, but he didn’t give anything up.

Rayan Ait-Nouri – 5

Couldn’t get things going in the final third like he can, but equally wasn’t troubled too often going the other way. Was booked and then beaten for Brighton’s winner.

Rodri – 7 (POTM)

By far the sharpest and like his old self he’s looked since recovering from his ACL injury. A midfield metronome with his passing range and dictating of play. Did tire a little towards the end.

Bernardo Silva – 4.5

Often the man to lead the press and put a foot on the ball to calm things down. That didn’t translate to him having much of an influence on proceedings though, and he was hooked.

Tijjani Reijnders – 5

Hasn’t quite been able to refind that spark he had against Wolves since the opening day. Got through a power of work but couldn’t create anything.

Oscar Bobb – 6.5

Once again showcased his extremely tidy feet in close-quarter situations. Will need to start adding a bit more end product though.

Erling Haaland – 6

Did eventually grab the opener from unmissable range, but ought to have put away at least one of his other openings.

Omar Marmoush – 6

Similarly to last week, he started the game as City’s most lively threat in attack, but again couldn’t keep it up throughout. Faired better than against Spurs though, and did assist Haaland’s opener.

Substitutes:

Nico O’Reilly – 6

Some quick feet in the middle but the tide had already turned by the time he came on.

Jeremy Doku – 5.5

Couldn’t make anything happen against tired legs.

Rico Lewis – N/A

Ruben Dias – N/A