Match Report: Brighton & Hove Albion 2 – 1 Manchester City
Date: Sunday, August 31, 2025
Venue: The Amex Stadium, Brighton
Competition: Premier League
Brighton & Hove Albion staged a stunning second-half comeback to defeat Manchester City 2-1 at the Amex, inflicting a second successive Premier League defeat on Pep Guardiola’s side. The result leaves City 12th in the early table with just three games played.
Key Moments of the Game
- First Half: Manchester City dominated the opening period, with Erling Haaland being the focal point of their attack. The Norwegian, in his 100th Premier League appearance, had several chances before finally breaking the deadlock. In the 34th minute, a quick City attack saw Omar Marmoush poke the ball through to Haaland, who clinically finished from close range to make it 1-0. However, Brighton had also threatened on the counter, with City’s young goalkeeper James Trafford forced into a fantastic save to deny Kaoru Mitoma earlier in the half. The return of Rodri to the starting lineup after a long-term knee injury provided a sense of control for the visitors.
- Second Half: The game shifted dramatically after the hour mark. Brighton manager Fabian HĂĽrzeler made a quadruple substitution that instantly changed the momentum. The fresh legs and tactical adjustments paid off in the 67th minute when Matheus Nunes was penalized for a handball in the box. Veteran midfielder James Milner stepped up to the spot and calmly converted the penalty to equalize for the Seagulls.
- Late Drama: With the game finely poised, both sides pushed for a winner. City looked increasingly vulnerable, and Brighton’s attacking subs continued to cause problems. In the 89th minute, Brighton delivered the decisive blow. A swift counter-attack saw Brajan Gruda race through City’s defense, round goalkeeper James Trafford, and slot the ball into an empty net for a late winner, sending the Amex crowd into raptures.
Man of the Match
While several Brighton players contributed to the comeback, Brajan Gruda is a strong contender for Man of the Match. His late goal secured the victory and capped off a series of impactful substitutions that turned the game on its head. Another shout goes to Brighton’s James Milner, who, at 39 years old, scored the crucial penalty that brought his side back into the game and became the second-oldest Premier League goalscorer in history.
From a City perspective, Erling Haaland was their most dangerous player, scoring a milestone goal and constantly threatening the Brighton defense. Goalkeeper James Trafford also made several vital saves to keep his team in the game, despite conceding the late winner.
Managers’ Quotes
Pep Guardiola (Manchester City):
In his post-match press conference, a visibly frustrated Guardiola lamented his team’s performance after conceding the equalizer. “We conceded the goal, and after that, it shifted. Until then, it was really, really good; we had chances, and the team looked aggressive and dynamic. We made a good hour, and then after the last half an hour we were not good. We forgot to pass the ball, just played long balls, and we were not good enough. It is what it is.” 1He also acknowledged the challenges of integrating new players and dealing with injuries, but emphasized his determination to overcome the current slump.
Tactics
- Manchester City: Pep Guardiola’s side lined up in a familiar possession-based system, likely a 4-1-4-1. The return of Rodri was a significant tactical boost, as he anchored the midfield and dictated the tempo of the game in the first half. City’s tactics revolved around high pressing and creating chances for Erling Haaland, who was the primary goal threat. However, in the second half, their discipline and structure seemed to fall apart after the penalty. They resorted to long balls and lost their composure, which played into Brighton’s hands.
- Brighton & Hove Albion: Fabian HĂĽrzeler’s Brighton side demonstrated tactical fluidity, starting in a 4-2-3-1 formation. They were prepared to absorb pressure and hit City on the counter-attack, as evidenced by their dangerous first-half chance. However, it was HĂĽrzeler’s decisive substitutions that won the game. By bringing on four players at once, including Brajan Gruda and Yankuba Minteh, he injected fresh energy and pace into the attack. This tactical masterstroke completely changed the dynamic of the match, allowing Brighton to exploit City’s defensive vulnerabilities and secure a famous victory.
