Brighton & Hove Albion executed their game plan to perfection on Wednesday, earning a well-deserved 1-1 draw against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. The result extends the champions’ winless streak to three Premier League matches and leaves them five points behind Arsenal.
City took the lead four minutes before halftime through an Erling Haaland penalty. The Norwegian converted after VAR confirmed that Diego Gomez had fouled Jeremy Doku inside the penalty area. The goal was Haaland’s 150th for the club, ended a three-match goal drought, and took him to 20 Premier League goals for the season.
The second half saw City push for a crucial second goal. Bernardo Silva came close when he intercepted a Brighton error, but his shot struck the post. The match’s temperature rose when City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma and Brighton’s Maxim De Cuyper engaged in a heated confrontation, with both goalkeepers shown yellow cards.
Brighton’s equalizer arrived in the 60th minute through Kaoru Mitoma, who demonstrated composure and quality. The Japanese international received a pass from the flank, positioned himself at the edge of the penalty area, and guided a low shot into the far corner with precision.
The visitors seized the initiative after scoring, controlling possession and building attacks methodically. They came agonizingly close to claiming all three points when Mitoma’s excellent work created a chance for Gomez inside the penalty area, but the midfielder’s shot was saved by Donnarumma. Mitoma’s attempt to convert the rebound from near the byline struck the woodwork. City had one final opportunity to secure victory when Haaland broke through in stoppage time, but Verbruggen’s outstanding save ensured Brighton’s game plan was rewarded with a valuable point.