By Perewarri Precious
Manchester City suffered a shocking 2-1 loss to Brighton at Amex Stadium, marking their fourth consecutive defeat, a troubling run under Pep Guardiola’s leadership. Despite Erling Haaland’s early goal, Man City’s defensive lapses allowed Brighton to secure a remarkable comeback, leaving the champions grappling with their worst stretch under Guardiola. Man City had entered Brighton hoping to break their losing streak, but after a chaotic second half, they left with shattered confidence and urgent questions.
Erling Haaland opened the scoring, capitalizing on his recent form and shaking off his misses in Lisbon. Yet, despite his early strike, City’s defense could not withstand the pressure exerted by Brighton in the second half. Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler’s tactical adjustments exposed City’s defensive vulnerabilities, as they struggled to contain Brighton’s relentless attacks.
Brighton’s Persistence Pays Off: Late Goals Stun Man City
City’s defense showed alarming weaknesses, allowing Brighton to equalize in the 78th minute through Joao Pedro. Just five minutes later, Matt O’Riley, on his debut, scored the decisive goal, capitalizing on yet another defensive lapse from City. These back-to-back goals underscored City’s defensive issues, which have been a persistent theme in their recent performances.
Erling Haaland was visibly frustrated, his efforts overshadowed by the team’s defensive failings. The prolific striker, who found the net early on, watched helplessly as City’s defense unraveled in the final minutes, marking a significant blow to the reigning champions.
Player Ratings: City’s Stars Falter Amid Defensive Chaos
- Erling Haaland (8/10): Delivered a commanding performance, scoring City’s only goal. However, Haaland’s frustration with his teammates’ defensive mistakes was evident.
- Rico Lewis (5/10): His missteps were costly, and he struggled to keep up with Brighton’s pace, leading to critical gaps in the defense.
- Josko Gvardiol (5/10): Similar to Lewis, Gvardiol was at fault in the defensive breakdowns that allowed Brighton to clinch their comeback.
- Phil Foden (7/10): Contributed with creative midfield play, yet it was not enough to prevent the late collapse.
- Ederson (6/10): Made several key saves but was ultimately overwhelmed by the sustained Brighton attacks in the closing stages.
This defeat highlights Pep Guardiola’s need to reassess City’s defensive strategies ahead of the international break. As City’s once-dominant squad grapples with defensive woes, Guardiola faces a challenging task to restore stability and prevent further slip-ups in the league.
