Manchester City Suffer 2-1 Loss to Brighton & Hove Albion, Guardiola's First-Ever Four-Game Losing Streak

Manchester City Suffer 2-1 Loss to Brighton

Manchester City endured a disappointing 2-1 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, marking their fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions. This setback is particularly significant for manager Pep Guardiola, as it represents the first time in his managerial career that he has overseen four straight losses. The defeat leaves City in second place in the Premier League with 23 points from 11 matches, while Brighton’s impressive win saw them move up to fourth place with 19 points.

City initially took the lead in the 23rd minute, with Erling Haaland scoring after a well-weighted pass from Mateo Kovacic. Haaland's initial shot was blocked, but he capitalized on the rebound to give the visitors the advantage. Despite controlling possession for much of the first half, City struggled to extend their lead, and Brighton started to find their rhythm after the break.

Brighton equalized in the 78th minute through João Pedro. A defensive mix-up from City allowed the Brazilian forward to latch onto a loose ball inside the penalty area, firing it past goalkeeper Ederson to make it 1-1. The equalizer sparked a surge from the home side, who had grown in confidence as the game wore on.

Just five minutes later, Brighton completed the turnaround. Matt O’Riley, another substitute, latched onto a clever through ball from Pedro and calmly slotted the ball past Ederson to give Brighton a 2-1 lead. The goal sealed the victory for the Seagulls, who thoroughly deserved the points after a strong second-half performance.

For City, this defeat represents a concerning dip in form after a strong start to the season. Guardiola’s team now faces growing pressure to rediscover their winning ways, while Brighton will be buoyed by their hard-fought victory and their rise to fourth in the Premier League standings.

Manchester City Suffer 2-1 Loss to Brighton & Hove Albion, Guardiola's First-Ever Four-Game Losing Streak