City stumble again as Brighton hold them to draw

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·7 Januari 2026

City stumble again as Brighton hold them to draw

Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton at the Etihad Stadium, extending their run to three consecutive Premier League draws.

With several defenders unavailable, Pep Guardiola named a reshuffled back line and City looked uneasy early on.

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The Seagulls created the first clear openings, with Pascal Gross heading goalwards from close range only for Gianluigi Donnarumma to keep the ball out. The Italian goalkeeper was required again soon after when Ferdi Kadioglu broke through following a long pass from Georginio Rutter, but his effort was directed straight at the City keeper.

Brighton continued to find space in behind the defence and Rutter later ran through on goal himself before being stopped by a well-timed, last-ditch challenge from Abdukodir Khusanov.

City grew into the game as the half progressed and took the lead four minutes before the break. Jeremy Doku was fouled in the area by Diego Gomez and, after a VAR check, a penalty was awarded. Erling Haaland converted from the spot in the 41st minute to give the hosts the advantage at the interval.

The home side had chances to increase their lead after the restart. Bernardo Silva came closest when he struck the outside of the post from close range, while Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen was also called into action to deny City on a number of occasions.

Brighton levelled on the hour through Kaoru Mitoma, who found space on the edge of the box before placing a low shot beyond Donnarumma.

City pushed forward in the closing stages, with Haaland seeing a late effort kept out by Verbruggen, but neither side was able to find a winning goal and the points were shared.

With this result, if Arsenal beat Liverpool tomorrow at the Emirates, they will open a eight-point gap over Pep Guardiola's side, while Brighton sit 11th in the table.

Incidents: The story of the match

1':

The match begins

6':

Missed opportunity! Nathan Aké from Manchester City attempted a right-footed shot from inside the six-yard box, but it went wide to the left. The assist came from Phil Foden, who delivered a cross.

9':

Missed opportunity. Max Alleyne from Manchester City attempted a header from the right side of the six-yard box following a corner kick.

29':

Missed opportunity! Jan Paul van Hecke of Brighton and Hove Albion attempted a header from a challenging angle on the left side but sent it wide to the left. The chance was set up by Maxim De Cuyper, who delivered a cross following a corner kick.

38':

Missed opportunity! Tijjani Reijnders of Manchester City took a shot with his right foot from the left side of the penalty area, but it went wide. The assist came from Jérémy Doku.

Manchester City takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Brighton and Hove Albion. Erling Haaland steps up to the spot and calmly slots the penalty into the bottom right corner with his left foot.Manchester City takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Brighton and Hove Albion. Erling Haaland steps up to the spot and expertly places the penalty into the bottom right corner with his left foot.

41':

GOALManchester City: Erling Haaland (Manchester City) scores penalty-kick!

Erling Haaland scores goal number 20 in the competition (21 matches) Erling Haaland scores goal number 151 for his team (174 matches)

45 +4':

Missed opportunity. Nico González of Manchester City attempts a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sails over the goal.

It's Manchester City 1, Brighton and Hove Albion 1. Kaoru Mitoma scores for Brighton with a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area into the bottom right corner. The assist came from Yasin Ayari.It's Manchester City 1, Brighton and Hove Albion 1. Kaoru Mitoma scores for Brighton with a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, finding the bottom right corner. The assist comes from Yasin Ayari.

60':