Brighton Inflict Second Straight Defeat on Manchester City in 1-0 Stunner

Manchester City slumped to a second consecutive Premier League defeat on Saturday, losing 1-0 at home to Brighton after an early goal from Yasin Ayari. It was Brighton's first-ever Premier League win at the Etihad, and it leaves City's title defence wobbling just nine games into the season.

Enzo Maresca's side dominated the shot count — 21 efforts to Brighton's handful — but only six were on target and none beat Bart Verbruggen. Erling Haaland, so prolific in recent weeks, saw his run of scoring in seven straight league games come to an end as he cut a frustrated figure up front.

The result keeps Brighton third on 19 points after six wins and a draw from nine games, and they now look like genuine contenders at the top. City remain on 21 points, but Arsenal's win at Liverpool on Sunday has pushed them three points behind the leaders — with the shadow of a possible points penalty for over 100 alleged rule breaches still hanging over the club.

Brighton's rise is real

Six wins from nine, a first win at City, and a place in the top three: Brighton's start is no longer a surprise package story, it is the form of a team that belongs in the title conversation.

City's wastefulness

Twenty-one shots and no goal tells its own story. City's attack, so ruthless for most of the autumn, suddenly looks blunt — and with Arsenal pulling away, Maresca needs a response fast.

Source: AFP / 7msport