Brighton 2-1 Manchester City: Cityzens slump to fourth defeat in a row at Brighton

Manchester City's woes continued on Saturday with a 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League, due to late goals from substitutes Joao Pedro and Matt O'Riley, handing the champions their fourth consecutive loss in all competitions.

This marks the first time City coach Pep Guardiola has lost four in a row in his managerial career, and his team remains second in the league standings with 23 points from 11 games. Brighton rise to fourth with 19 points.

City appeared to be on the verge of breaking their losing streak as Erling Haaland scored in the 23rd minute when Mateo Kovacic threaded a long pass between Brighton's two centre backs, and the Norwegian striker tapped in his own rebound to extend his league scoring lead to 12 goals.

Brighton improved after the break, and Pedro drew the hosts equal in the 78th minute when City failed to clear the ball, allowing the Brazilian to smash it past Ederson.

O'Riley made a memorable Premier League debut five minutes later, latching onto Pedro's through ball and shooting beyond Ederson's outstretched arm.

Guardiola, who appeared stunned after the loss, will rue City's lost first-half chances, notably a couple from Haaland in a matter of minutes that could have resulted in a hat-trick on another night.

The first chance came when goalie Bart Verbruggen used his right ankle to block a blazing Haaland shot at the near post. Haaland then headed barely over the bar.

Despite having only 39.5% possession, Brighton appeared to be on the verge of scoring in the second half. Soon after the break, the hosts had a fantastic opportunity when Jack Hinshelwood leaped high to head down Pervis Estupinan's looping cross, which was punched away by an alert Ederson.

City's injury list includes Nathan Ake, John Stones, Jack Grealish, and Ruben Dias, as well as long-term absentees Rodri and Oscar Bobb.

Their previous three defeats were a 2-1 League Cup loss to Tottenham Hotspur, a shock 2-1 league loss at Bournemouth, and a 4-1 Champions League battering by Sporting, which left player Bernardo Silva declaring City were in a "dark place".

SportsLigue