Brighton & Hove Albion executed a superb tactical performance to earn a 1-1 draw against Manchester City on Wednesday, frustrating the hosts and extending their winless run to three consecutive Premier League matches. City now find themselves five points behind leaders Arsenal, who sit on 48 points ahead of their crucial encounter with Liverpool.
Manchester City opened the scoring four minutes before the interval when Erling Haaland converted from the penalty spot after Jeremy Doku was fouled by Diego Gomez. VAR confirmed the referee’s decision, and Haaland made no mistake, scoring his 150th goal for the club and his 20th in the Premier League this season, ending a three-game drought.
The home side came close to extending their lead early in the second half when Bernardo Silva capitalised on a Brighton error, but his effort struck the post. The match became fractious when goalkeepers Gianluigi Donnarumma and Maxim De Cuyper clashed, with both receiving yellow cards for their involvement in the confrontation.
Brighton equalised on the hour mark through Kaoru Mitoma, who received a pass from the flank and expertly guided a low shot into the far corner from the edge of the box. The goal completely changed the complexion of the match, with Brighton taking control and slowing the tempo as they built their attacks methodically.
The visitors dominated the closing stages and came agonisingly close to claiming all three points when Mitoma’s angled effort from near the byline rattled the post following a goal-mouth scramble. In the dying minutes, Haaland had a clear chance to win the match for City, but Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen produced a magnificent save to deny him and secure a valuable point that highlighted Brighton’s tactical discipline and quality.