Manchester City’s recent struggles continue as they suffered a fourth consecutive defeat, this time at the hands of Brighton in a dramatic 2-1 comeback at the Amex Stadium. Despite taking an early lead through Erling Haaland, City faltered in the closing minutes as Joao Pedro equalized and Matt O’Riley scored the winner with seven minutes left. This defeat marked Pep Guardiola’s first four-game losing streak in his career.
Guardiola admitted that City’s inability to compete for a full 90 minutes has been a major issue. While the team showed promise in the first half, they were unable to maintain their intensity and aggression throughout the game. The manager expressed his belief that with the return of key players after the international break and some adjustments to the team’s tactics, City will bounce back from this rough patch.
The loss to Brighton is part of a troubling period for City, following exits from the League Cup and Champions League, as well as a league defeat to Bournemouth. With the team now trailing five points behind league leaders Liverpool, their hopes for a fifth consecutive title are hanging by a thread.
Injuries have also played a role in City’s decline, with key defenders Ruben Dias and John Stones unavailable for selection. This forced Guardiola to field 19-year-old Jahmai Simpson-Pusey in central defense, and the young backline struggled to cope with Brighton’s attack.
Despite the setbacks, Guardiola remains optimistic and determined to overcome this challenging period. He acknowledged that after years of dominance in the Premier League, it may be time for another team to claim the title. However, he emphasized that he and his team will not back down from the challenge and will continue to fight for success.
The defeat to Brighton serves as a wake-up call for Manchester City, highlighting the need for improvements in their performance and consistency. Guardiola’s leadership will be crucial in guiding the team through this rough patch and reigniting their title aspirations.
