Manchester City failed to capitalize on early second-half pressure, with Bernardo Silva’s effort striking the post before Brighton & Hove Albion fought back to secure a 1-1 draw on Wednesday. The result represents the champions’ third consecutive Premier League match without a win and leaves them five points behind Arsenal.
City had taken the lead four minutes before halftime through an Erling Haaland penalty. The spot-kick was awarded after Diego Gomez fouled Jeremy Doku in the Brighton box, with VAR confirming the decision. Haaland converted confidently to score his 150th goal for Manchester City, end a three-match goal drought, and reach 20 Premier League goals for the season.
Silva came agonizingly close to doubling City’s advantage shortly after the restart when he intercepted a Brighton defensive error. However, his shot struck the woodwork, denying City a crucial second goal. The match’s intensity increased when a confrontation erupted between City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Brighton’s Maxim De Cuyper, resulting in yellow cards for both players.
Brighton equalized in the 60th minute through a quality finish from Kaoru Mitoma. The Japanese international received a pass from the flank, composed himself at the edge of the penalty area, and curled a precise low shot into the far corner.
The visitors took control after scoring, slowing the game’s pace and building attacks methodically. They nearly completed the turnaround when Mitoma’s creative play found Gomez inside the box, but the midfielder’s effort was saved by Donnarumma. Mitoma’s follow-up attempt from a tight angle struck the post. City had one final opportunity to claim all three points when Haaland broke through in stoppage time, but Verbruggen’s superb save preserved Brighton’s hard-earned point.
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