[MATCH REPORT] Brighton 2-1 Manchester City: Brighton Stun Man City 2-1 as Haaland's Lead Fades, Guardiola Faces Fourth Straight Defeat...

• Pep Guardiola's side has now suffered four consecutive defeats, marking a rare and concerning slump in form. Despite taking the lead through Erling Haaland, City struggled defensively, allowing Brighton to score twice in the final 12 minutes. City's defense was repeatedly tested, and their inability to close out the game highlights their growing vulnerabilities. With injuries piling up, especially to key players like Rodri, John Stones, and Kevin De Bruyne, Guardiola faces a major challenge in stabilizing his squad.
• Brighton showcased remarkable resilience to turn the game around late on, with Joao Pedro and Matt O'Riley coming off the bench to score the decisive goals. Despite wasting several chances earlier in the game, Brighton kept pressing and capitalized on City's defensive lapses. The win not only boosts their top-four hopes but also cements Brighton as one of the Premier League's most exciting and well-coached teams, with their attacking depth and ability to fight back proving crucial.
• This loss leaves Manchester City in a perilous position in the title race, slipping further behind Arsenal and Liverpool. Guardiola will need to address both the growing injury crisis and his team's defensive issues quickly, or City risks falling out of contention for the title. Meanwhile, Brighton's victory serves as a reminder that the top-four race is wide open, with the Seagulls temporarily moving into the top four.

Brighton stunned Manchester City with two late goals in a 2-1 win, handing Pep Guardiola's side their fourth consecutive loss in what is quickly turning into a crisis for the champions.

Haaland Puts City Ahead, But Brighton Respond Late

Erling Haaland's first-half strike looked to have set Manchester City on course for victory, but Brighton's late rally turned the game on its head. The Seagulls scored twice in the final 12 minutes, with Joao Pedro and Matt O'Riley coming off the bench to seal a dramatic comeback.

City, who were already reeling from defeats to Bournemouth, Tottenham, and Sporting Lisbon, had looked comfortable when Haaland broke the deadlock in the 29th minute. The Norwegian striker latched onto a through ball, poking it past Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen after his initial attempt was saved. At that point, it seemed City would ease to victory, but their performance dropped off after the half-hour mark, allowing Brighton back into the game.

Brighton’s Resilience Pays Off

Brighton came close to scoring several times in the second half, creating multiple high-quality chances. City’s defense was under siege as Ederson made crucial saves, including a strong stop from Jack Hinshelwood’s header and another one-on-one denial against Kaoru Mitoma. The Seagulls were wasteful, though, missing six big chances with an Expected Goals (xG) tally of 1.43 for the second half alone.

However, their persistence paid off late in the game. Danny Welbeck trapped a cross from the left and, amid a goalmouth scramble, Joao Pedro showed more initiative than City’s defenders to score from close range.

Just five minutes later, Pedro turned provider. The Brazilian set up Matt O'Riley, who marked his delayed Premier League debut with a stunning strike, blasting past Ederson to make it 2-1.

Guardiola’s Frustration Grows

Despite bringing on Kevin De Bruyne to help spark a late fightback, Manchester City could not find an equalizer. De Bruyne, clearly not fully match-fit, curled a shot just wide, while fellow substitute Bernardo Silva missed another chance, dragging a shot wide of the far post. Josko Gvardiol had a late header that also flew wide as City continued to struggle in attack.

The final whistle sounded after nine minutes of stoppage time, with Brighton holding firm and taking all three points. The victory not only moved Brighton into the top four temporarily but also left Manchester City facing mounting pressure as they fell further behind in the title race.

Title Hopes Dimming for City

With this defeat, Guardiola's side has now suffered four straight losses, a rare and concerning run of form for the Premier League champions. City’s early-season blip has quickly turned into a crisis, and they will need to regroup quickly to salvage their season.

Brighton, meanwhile, secured a well-deserved win that boosts their chances of finishing in the top four, at least for now. As for City, the defeat leaves them with more questions than answers as they slip further behind Arsenal and Liverpool at the top of the table.

City's Defensive Woes and Injuries Mount

The match was further complicated for Manchester City by injuries to key players. Rodri and John Stones were already sidelined, and De Bruyne was clearly not at his best after recovering from injury. As for Brighton, their squad depth and attacking resolve showed once again that they are a team to watch this season.

Looking Ahead: Crisis for City, Hope for Brighton

For Brighton, this win marks a statement of intent, with their attacking depth and resilience shining through. Their win not only keeps them in the top four but also strengthens their credentials as one of the Premier League's most exciting teams.

For Manchester City, it’s back to the drawing board as they look to bounce back from what could be a defining slump in their quest for another title. With Liverpool and Arsenal currently setting the pace, Guardiola will have to solve both his injury crisis and his team’s worrying lack of defensive solidity if City are to mount a serious challenge in the coming months.