Brighton struck twice in five minutes late in the game to upset the champions 2-1 and cause a fourth consecutive loss for just the second time in Pep Guardiola’s career, turning Manchester City’s slip-up into a catastrophe.
After three straight losses to Bournemouth, Tottenham, and Sporting, City appeared to be getting better as the champions took the lead with 12 minutes remaining thanks to a goal from Erling Haaland in the first half.
However, recently injured players Joao Pedro and Matt O’Riley—the latter making his delayed Premier League debut after an ankle injury delayed his summer transfer from Celtic—came off the bench to send the Amex Stadium into a frenzy, costing City points in the race for the title but, for a few hours at least, moving Fabian Hurzeler’s team into the top four.
After controlling the first half and taking the lead when Haaland broke through and beat Bart Verbruggen on the second try, City let off after the half, allowing Brighton to tie the score.