Brighton’s Late Winner See Off Guardiola’s Man City

https://www.channelstv.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AFP__20250831__72YB4N4__v1__MidRes__FblEngPrBrightonManCity.jpg

Liverpool prepared for their blockbuster clash with title rivals Arsenal on Sunday while Manchester City extended their troubled start to the Premier League season with a shock 2-1 defeat at Brighton.

Erling Haaland, a city striker, scored his 88th goal in the Premier League as he made his 100th appearance since joining Borussia Dortmund in 2022.

However, Pep Guardiola’s side bounced back from last weekend’s 2-0 home defeat against Tottenham when the 25-year-old scored with his third goal this season.

Before Brajan Gruda’s late strike ended Brighton’s collapse, James Milner’s second-half penalty saw Brighton equal.

Since playing for City in the Premier League against Arsenal in September 2024 with a serious knee injury, Spain midfielder Rodri made his first start for City.

On August 31, 2025, Manchester City’s Spanish midfielder #16 Rodri watches at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England, during Brighton and Hove Albion and Manchester City’s English Premier League game. (Photo by AFP photographer JUSTIN TALLIS) /. /

However, Rodri, who also had a summer-long Club World Cup match started, was unable to give City a second straight win.

After he had a quick race through, Haaland should have given City an early lead, but he scuffed a tame shot straight at Bart Verbruggen.

After a successful City move, he also lashed just wide from 18 yards.

With a poor header from Rayan Ait-Nouri’s cross, Verbruggen had a second chance to save it.

After Omar Marmoush prodded the ball into his path, Haaland fought back and in the 34th minute, stumbling past Verbruggen from close range.

Just before half-time, Rodri blazed the chance over after Haaland forced Verbruggen to make a mistaken clearance.

In the 67th minute, Matheus Nunes gave Brighton a lifeline.

Bernardo Silva’s attempt to mark him was met by Lewis Dunk, who blasted a shot that Nunes blocked with his arm adrift from his body.

In a tribute to his former Liverpool team-mate who died in a car crash in July, Milner sent James Trafford the wrong way with a clinical penalty before copying Diogo Jota’s goal celebration.

The 39-year-old is the second-oldest scorer in the history of the Premier League, trailing only Teddy Sheringham, who was 40 when he set the record. It was his first Premier League goal since 2019.