Manchester City suffered a shocking defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion on November 9, 2024, losing 2-1 at the Amex Stadium. This match marked a significant low point for City, as it was their fourth consecutive loss across all competitions, a first in Pep Guardiola's managerial career. The defeat not only cost City crucial points in the Premier League title race but also saw them slip to second place in the standings with 23 points from 11 matches, while Brighton climbed to fourth with 19 points.
The match began with Manchester City taking control early on. Erling Haaland opened the scoring in the 23rd minute after a well-placed pass from Mateo Kovacic. Haaland initially had his shot saved by Brighton's goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen but managed to poke home the rebound, giving City a 1-0 lead. However, despite dominating possession and creating chances, City failed to capitalize further and allowed Brighton to regain momentum as the match progressed.
Brighton came out stronger in the second half, creating several opportunities but failing to convert them until late in the game. The turning point came in the 78th minute when substitute Joao Pedro leveled the score. After a goalmouth scramble following a cross, Pedro reacted quickly to slot home from close range, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. Just five minutes later, Matt O'Riley, also a substitute making his Premier League debut, scored the winner. He received a perfectly timed through ball from Pedro and finished confidently past City’s goalkeeper Ederson.
City attempted to respond with late substitutions, including bringing on Kevin De Bruyne, but their efforts were thwarted as Brighton held firm during an intense nine minutes of stoppage time. The defeat has raised questions about City's form and strategy as they prepare for upcoming fixtures, while Brighton celebrated a remarkable comeback that showcased their resilience and attacking prowess.
This result not only highlights Brighton's potential as serious contenders this season but also casts doubt on Manchester City's ability to defend their title amidst growing pressure and expectations.
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