Manchester City extended their poor start with a second loss in three games. The defending champions took an early lead but lost 2-1 at Brighton.
Erling Haaland opened the scoring in the first half on his 100th Premier League appearance. He hit his 88th goal in the competition. Despite this milestone, Manchester City could not hold on. James Milner scored from the spot to level the match. Brighton then sealed the win with a late goal from Brajan Gruda.
Guardiola admitted that City “forgot to play” after conceding. He pointed to a shift in momentum and poor tactics in the final 30 minutes. The team relied on ineffective long balls and lost control, he said. Guardiola also noted the challenge of integrating new players into the squad.
Rodri, returning from a long injury absence, echoed the coach’s concerns. He said City are “not at the level” they need to be. He called some errors “kids’ mistakes” and highlighted the need for better concentration and awareness across the team.
Brighton turned the game in their favour after making four substitutions around the 60-minute mark. Their changes energised them and exposed gaps in City’s setup. Brighton’s late comeback underlined Manchester City’s defensive fragility.
This result leaves Manchester City in a concerning position early in the season. Two losses from three games place pressure on Guardiola’s side. They must improve quickly before their upcoming fixtures to avoid a deeper slip.
Despite the positive signs in the first hour, Manchester City now face questions about their adaptability and consistency. The team must regroup and rediscover their title-winning form.
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