Brighton & Hove Albion came from behind to record a 2-1 victory over Manchester City in Saturday's Premier League contest at the Amex.
The Citizens entered the clash off the back of three straight defeats to Tottenham Hotspur, Bournemouth and Sporting Lisbon in three separate competitions, and there was huge pressure on Pep Guardiola's side to bounce back against the Seagulls.
Erling Haaland sent Man City ahead in the 23rd minute with his record-breaking 75th Premier League goal, but Joao Pedro levelled the scores before debutant Matt O'Riley won it for the hosts in the latter stages.
Guardiola has now lost four games in a row for the first time in his managerial career, with his team remaining second in the Premier League table, two points behind the leaders Liverpool.
Man City came close to making the breakthrough in the 15th minute of the match through Savinho, but Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen was on hand to make a brilliant save.
The Citizens did register in the 23rd minute, though, with Haaland managing to bundle the ball home from close range after the striker saw his first effort saved by Brighton's Verbruggen.
Mateo Kovacic provided the pass which released Haaland, and the Norway international simply would not be denied, with Man City opening the scoring, but Brighton were a threat, with Danny Welbeck and Kaoru Mitoma carrying the fight to the Citizens.
Brighton had a big chance to level the scores early in the second period through Jack Hinshelwood, but his header was straight at the away side's goalkeeper Ederson.
Welbeck had another half-chance in the 67th minute, but the ex-Manchester United forward failed to make the most of having the ball inside the box, before Ederson denied Mitoma and Pedro missed the target with a low effort in quick succession.
Brighton were pushing against a Man City side that were again far from their best, and the leveller came in the 78th minute, with Pedro firing into the back of the net from inside the box after the visitors had failed to clear their lines.
O'Riley then completed the turnaround in the 83rd minute, with the 23-year-old, on his Premier League debut for the Seagulls, scoring following a brilliant Pedro pass to spark jubilant celebrations inside the stadium, with Brighton rising into fourth spot in the table courtesy of a famous success.
BRIGHTON VS. MAN CITY HIGHLIGHTS
Erling Haaland goal vs. Brighton (23rd min, Brighton 0-1 Man City)
And that is why you keep Erling Haaland in your FPL team 🤝 pic.twitter.com/6jBvFuoWgx
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 9, 2024
Man City make the breakthrough in the 23rd minute of the contest, as Haaland manages to fire home at the second time of asking after being kept out by Verbruggen on his first attempt.
The initial pass from Kovacic was excellent.
Joao Pedro goal vs. Man City (78th min, Brighton 1-1 Man City)
What an ATMOSPHERE! 🔥
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 9, 2024
Joao Pedro doesn't miss twice 😤 pic.twitter.com/dRlFUs7MIg
Brighton level the scores in the 78th minute of the match, as Pedro manages to fire the ball home from close range following a period of panic inside the Man City penalty box.
Matt O'Riley goal vs. Man City (83rd min, Brighton 2-1 Man City)
Matt O'Riley on his Premier League DEBUT! 🤯
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 9, 2024
What a turnaround from Brighton! 💥 pic.twitter.com/oJolKvtfOS
Incredible scenes here, as O'Riley scores on his Premier League debut, with the number 33 collecting a pass from Pedro before finishing into the back of the net. The Seagulls are ahead!
MAN OF THE MATCH - JOAO PEDRO
© Imago
Pedro was only introduced in the 66th minute of the contest, but he turned the match for Brighton, with the forward proving to be crucial in his side securing all three points.
The 23-year-old levelled the scores in the 78th minute with a clever finish before turning provider for O'Riley, with his brilliant pass allowing his teammate to score on his Premier League debut.
BRIGHTON VS. MAN CITY MATCH STATS
Possession: Brighton 39%-61% Man City
Shots: Brighton 10-15 Man City
Shots on target: Brighton 4-6 Man City
Corners: Brighton 0-4 Man City
Fouls: Brighton 12-10 Man City
BEST STATS
19/21 - Erling Haaland has now scored at 19 of the 21 stadiums he's played at in the Premier League, only failing to do so at Anfield (2 games) and the Gtech Community Stadium (1 game). Inevitable. pic.twitter.com/aUvJ49tRZ4
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 9, 2024
Erling Haaland reached 75 Premier League goals in 16 fewer games than Alan Shearer. pic.twitter.com/WEZ4DXcCe9
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) November 9, 2024
1 - Pep Guardiola has lost four games in a row in all competitions for the very first time in his managerial career, while Manchester City have lost four straight games for the first time since August 2006, when Stuart Pearce was manager of the club. Unthinkable. pic.twitter.com/yAnz6ct8dn
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 9, 2024
1 - Erling Haaland has lost a Premier League match in which he scored a goal for the very first time, having won 40 and drawn six of the previous 46 he'd scored in before today. Humbled. pic.twitter.com/o6fBiyew4J
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 9, 2024
WHAT NEXT?
Man City will return to Premier League action at home to Tottenham Hotspur on November 23, before welcoming Feyenoord to the Etihad Stadium in the Champions League three days later.
Brighton, meanwhile, will be aiming to make it back-to-back victories when they travel to Bournemouth in England's top flight on November 23.
Matt Law
