Manchester City missed the chance to return to the Premier League’s top four as they twice surrendered the lead in a 2-2 draw with Brighton.
Goals from Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush were cancelled out by a superb Pervis Estupinan free-kick and Abdukodir Khusanov’s own goal as the champions endured more frustration at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Nico Gonzalez hit the post as Pep Guardiola’s side chased a late winner but Brighton, who have never won away against City, had spurned their own gilt-edged chance when Carlos Baleba shot over.
A sign of City’s underwhelming campaign came in their team selection. Ederson, criticised in last week’s defeat at Nottingham Forest, was left out in favour of Stefan Ortega while Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden were benched.
Brighton had the ball in the net after six minutes when Kaoru Mitoma bundled home from a Jack Hinshelwood cross but it was disallowed for a foul on Ortega.
Instead it was City who struck first after Brighton lost possession and Haaland fed Marmoush. The Egyptian cut back inside and was taken down by Adam Webster for a clear-cut penalty, which Haaland thumped into the bottom corner.
It was the Norwegian’s 84th Premier League goal in his 94th appearance which, combined with his 16 assists, made him the first player to reach 100 goal involvements in fewer than 100 games.
City’s lead did not last long as Estupinan took aim after Georginio Rutter was felled by Nico Gonzalez outside the box. The Ecuador international brilliantly bent his shot around the wall, leaving a wrong-footed Ortega watching as it flew in off the post.
City responded as Savinho forced Bart Verbruggen to save with his feet and further chances were created for Haaland and Marmoush.
T
Read more on breakingnews.ie
breakingnews.ie
