Manchester City reclaimed their winning momentum with a tight 2-1 triumph over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League. First-half stunners from Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland set the pace for City.
Despite having the game seemingly in the bag, a spirited 73rd-minute goal from Brighton’s Ansu Fati kept everyone on the edge of their seats at the Etihad.
This victory marked a phenomenal 21st consecutive home win for City across all contests – a new Premier League milestone. The game ignited early on, with Alvarez finding the net in the seventh minute, thanks to a brilliant assist by the dynamic Jeremy Doku.
Boosted by the return of the pivotal midfielder Rodri, City showcased dominance. Haaland capitalized on Brighton’s defensive lapse to nail the second goal for City just 19 minutes in.
Even though City had opportunities to further their lead, Brighton’s comeback spirit, embodied by Fati’s goal, kept the game alive. The tension peaked as City’s Manuel Akanji received a red card in the dying moments, sidelining him for the upcoming Manchester derby.
This victory positioned City at the summit of the Premier League with 21 points in nine fixtures. Yet, Arsenal’s clash with Chelsea later in the day had the potential to reshuffle the standings.
The palpable relief post-game was evident among the City camp, especially for manager Pep Guardiola, who rarely experiences a trio of consecutive league defeats.
The city may not have been at its peak form, but Brighton’s resilience, especially after a rocky start, was commendable. Guardiola acknowledged this, praising Brighton’s tactics and crediting the win to his team’s mettle.
Jeremy Doku, who overshadowed Jack Grealish’s presence in the game, was a constant menace for Brighton. His swift movement set the stage for City’s opener, although Alvarez’s shot wasn’t perfect, it was enough to beat Brighton’s goalkeeper Jason Steele.
Guardiola didn’t hold back on his praise for Doku, labeling him an “extraordinary winger.”
Haaland, after a short goal draught, seized the moment after Brighton fumbled a throw-in, marking his 45th Premier League goal in just 44 appearances.
