In a dramatic showdown at the Amex Stadium on August 31, 2025, Brighton & Hove Albion delivered a stunning 2-1 victory over Manchester City, exposing vulnerabilities in Pep Guardiola’s side and marking their second consecutive Premier League defeat. The match, part of the third round of the 2025-26 season, saw City dominate early through Erling Haaland’s clinical strike, only to falter in the final half-hour as Brighton’s tactical adjustments and relentless pressure turned the tide. Guardiola pinpointed a lack of aggression as the key to his team’s collapse, a rare critique for a squad accustomed to relentless precision.
City started brightly, controlling possession and creating multiple chances in a tightly contested first half. Haaland, celebrating his 100th Premier League appearance, was a constant threat, firing tamely at Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen within nine minutes, dragging another shot wide, and seeing a close-range header denied. His persistence paid off in the 34th minute when, after Yankuba Minteh was dispossessed by Rayan Ait-Nouri, Oscar Bobb surged forward, and Omar Marmoush slipped a pass through Lewis Dunk’s legs for Haaland to lift over Verbruggen. “We made a good hour and then after the last half hour we were not good. We forgot to pass the ball, just played long balls and we were not good enough,” Guardiola reflected, highlighting the stark contrast between City’s early dominance and their later unraveling.
Brighton, under the guidance of 32-year-old manager Fabian Hurzeler, struggled initially, managing just one shot in the first half—a long-range effort from Kaoru Mitoma tipped behind by City’s James Trafford. Trailing 1-0, Hurzeler’s bold quadruple substitution just past the hour mark—introducing James Milner, Brajan Gruda, Georginio Rutter, and Yasin Ayari—shifted the momentum. “We concede the goal and after that it shifted. Until then it was really good, we had chances and the team looked aggressive and dynamic,” Guardiola noted, acknowledging Brighton’s resurgence. The Seagulls capitalized when a cross from Dunk struck Matheus Nunes’ raised arm, leading to a penalty. Milner, at 39 years and 239 days, became the second-oldest scorer in Premier League history, dispatching the spot-kick with precision in the 67th minute and paying tribute to former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota with his celebration.
Brighton’s intensity surged, and City’s defense crumbled under pressure. Trafford made a remarkable save to deny Jan Paul van Hecke in the 88th minute, but the reprieve was short-lived. In the 89th minute, Gruda, a German midfielder who had scored in Brighton’s midweek 6-0 Carabao Cup rout of Oxford, latched onto Mitoma’s through-ball, rounded Trafford, and slotted into an empty net, sparking wild celebrations. The victory marked Brighton’s first league win of the season, lifting them to four points, while City, with three points from three games, slipped to 11th in the table.
Guardiola’s frustration was palpable as he dissected his team’s second-half shortcomings. “We played a good hour, but the last 30 minutes were not good. We forgot to pass the ball; we just played long balls and weren’t aggressive enough,” he said, pointing to a lack of control and adaptability. The return of 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, making his first league start since a knee injury last September, offered little solace, as City struggled to maintain their structure against Brighton’s revitalized attack. Hurzeler’s tactical tweak to a 4-3-3, with Carlos Baleba anchoring midfield, allowed Brighton to exploit spaces behind City’s high defensive line, particularly through Mitoma and Minteh’s pace.
City’s early season woes, following a 2-0 loss to Tottenham, raise concerns about their title credentials after a trophyless 2024-25 campaign. Injuries to key players like Josko Gvardiol, Savinho, and Rayan Cherki, who faces two months out with a thigh injury, have strained squad depth. Despite these setbacks, Guardiola remained defiant, noting, “The season has just begun. We have a long, long season ahead. We’ll see what happens.” Brighton, meanwhile, showcased their potential under Hurzeler, who has now overseen two wins and a draw in three encounters with Guardiola. With upcoming fixtures against Manchester United and Arsenal after the international break, City face a daunting challenge to rediscover their championship form, while Brighton’s spirited comeback signals their intent to compete among the Premier League’s elite.
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