Manchester City twice blow lead against Brighton in race for Champions League spots

City twice edged in front through Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush but were pegged back, first by Pervis Estipinan and an own goal by Abdukodir Knhusanov.

Sat, 15 Mar, 2025 - 17:15

Richard Tanner, Etihad Stadium

Manchester City 2 Brighton 2

Manchester City and Brighton had to settle for a point apiece that did little for their Champions League hopes after a highly-entertaining battle at the Etihad.

City twice took the lead through Erling Haaland's penalty and a fine strike by Omar Marmoush but were pegged back, first by Pervis Estipinan's free-kick and an own goal by Abdukodir Knhusanov as Brighton took the consolation of a deserved draw as their run of six successive wins came to an end.

The Seagulls should have chalked up their first ever win in City's backyard late on when midfielder Carlos Baleba blazed a golden chance over the bar with only hoe keeper Stefan Ortega to beat.

The result meant City missed out on the chance to move back into the top four. Pep Guardiola's team remain in fifth place just one point in front of sixth-placed Newcastle - who have a game in hand - and Brighton, who stay seventh as the scramble for European places hots up.

The tenor for an entertaining, end-to-end game was set after only six minutes when Brighton had a goal disallowed when Karou Mitoma was judged to have fouled Otega as he bundled home a superb low cross by Jack Hinshelwood.

Brighton's frustration was compounded three minutes later when Adam Webster tripped Marmoush as he chopped back past him to give away a penalty that Haaland duly dispatched for his 29th goal of the season by sending Bart Verbruggen the wrong way.

The Seagulls equalised after 22 minutes when Estupinan scored from a direct free-kick 25 yards out - his shot going in off the far post with question marks over City's defensive 'wall.'

Haaland, Savinho and Ilkay Gundogan all squandered chances for City to re-take the lead before Marmoush took advantage of the space and time afforded him by Brighton's defence to take a couple of touches on a pass from Gundogan before firing home from 20 yards.

Brighton went close to a second equaliser just before the break when Joao Pedro's shot rolled inches wide of the far post but it took them only three minutes after the break to level the scores.

Webster headed a corner back into the six yard box where the unmarked Hinshelwood's half-hit shot struck the unfrotunate Abdukodir Khusanov and rolled into the net.

There were chances at both ends with Nico Gonzalez striking the post with a close-range header from Gundogan's corner but Baleba held his head in his hands when he skied his shot over the bar when he looked certain to score from Mitoma's low cross.

Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Ortega 6;, Lewis 6, Khusanov 6, Dias 6, Gvardiol Gonzalez 6, Gundogan 6; Savinho 6 (Silva 58, 5, Foden 75, 5), Marmoush 8 (De Bruyne 86, 5) Doku 6; Haaland 6.

Unused substitutes: Carson, Kovacic, Grealish, De Bruyne, Reis, Nunes, McAtee.

Goals: Haaland pen 11 Marmoush 39.

Booked: Savinho, Doku.

Brighton (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen 7; Hinshelwood 7, Van Hecke 7, Webster 7, Estupinan 7; Baleba 7 (Wieffer 87, 5), Gomez 7 (Ayari 75, 5);, Minteh 7 (Gruda 83, 5), Rutter 6 (Welbeck 75, 5), Mitoma 8 (Adringa 83, 5); Joao Pedro 7..

Unused substitutes: Rushworth, Cashin, Knight, Slater.

Goals: Estipinan 22, Khusanov own goal 48.

Booked: Mitoma, Baleba.

Referee: Simon Hooper 7.