Manchester City’s crisis deepened Saturday as Brighton & Hove Albion scored twice in the final 12 minutes to secure a 2-1 victory, condemning Pep Guardiola’s champions to their fourth consecutive defeat across all competitions.
Erling Haaland had given City an early lead, but Joao Pedro equalized in the 78th minute before setting up Matthew O’Riley for the winner, dealing another blow to City’s Premier League title defense and offering encouragement to Arne Slot’s league-leading Liverpool.
The defending champions controlled early proceedings at the Amex Stadium, with Brazilian winger Savinho forcing a crucial save from Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen before Haaland broke through. The Norwegian striker’s clinical finish gave City the advantage they held until the late collapse.
Brighton, unbeaten at home in the league this season, persistently threatened through Danny Welbeck and Kaoru Mitoma before Pedro capitalized on City’s failure to clear their lines, scoring from close range. The Portuguese forward then turned provider, finding O’Riley who calmly slotted home to complete the comeback.
The defeat follows losses to Sporting CP in the Champions League, Bournemouth in the Premier League, and Tottenham in the League Cup, marking City’s longest losing streak under Guardiola. Brighton held firm through nine minutes of added time to secure a victory that further dents City’s hopes of a fifth consecutive Premier League title.
Pedro earned player of the match honors for his goal and assist that transformed the game’s complexion in the closing stages.
