Brighton 2-1 Man City (9 November 2024) Match analysis

Manchester City lost 2-1 to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday thanks to late goals from substitutes Joao Pedro and Matt O'Riley that handed the champions their fourth straight defeat in all competitions.

The defeat marks the first time City coach Pep Guardiola has lost four times in a row in his coaching career and left his side second in the league table with 23 points from 11 games. Brighton climbed to fourth place with 19 points.

City looked poised to end their run after Erling Haaland scored in the 23rd minute when Mateo Kovacic threaded a long pass between Brighton's two centre-backs and the Norway international fired in his own rebound.

Brighton improved after the break and Pedro equalized for the hosts in the 78th minute when City failed to clear the ball and the Brazil international flicked it past Ederson.

“Last season we lost too many points and the gaffer told us to believe in ourselves this season and we are doing well against the big teams this season,” Pedro told Sky Sports.

O'Riley made his Premier League debut a memorable one when he secured a well-deserved victory five minutes later, latching on to Pedro's through ball and firing home from close range past Éderson's outstretched arm.

Guardiola will rue City's missed chances in the first half, including a couple of Haaland's chances within minutes that on another night could have seen the Norwegian celebrate a hat-trick.

At the first chance, goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen dived to stop a fierce Haaland shot with his right ankle at the near post. Haaland then headed just over the crossbar.

Even though Brighton only had 39.5% possession, it felt like a goal would be scored in the second half. The hosts had a great chance just after the break when Jack Hinshelwood jumped high and met a cross from Pervis Estupiñán, which Ederson carefully parried away.

City have been hit by injuries, missing Nathan Aké, John Stones, Jack Grealish and Rúben Dias on Saturday, as well as long-term absentees Rodri and Oscar Bobb.

Their last three defeats were a 2-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur which saw them eliminated from the League Cup, a shock 2-1 defeat in the league at Bournemouth and a 4-1 defeat to Sporting in the Champions League Midfielder Bernardo Silva said City was a “dark place” in this regard.