Brighton & Hove Albion reignited their Premier League campaign with a thrilling 2–1 victory over Manchester City at the Amex Stadium.
A late goal from substitute Brajan Gruda sealed the comeback, sending home fans into wild celebration and handing City their second consecutive defeat.
Manchester City started the match with their trademark dominance. Pep Guardiola’s side controlled possession and looked every bit the reigning champions.
Their efforts paid off when Erling Haaland, marking his 100th Premier League appearance, scored from inside the box to give City the lead.
Brighton struggled to find rhythm in the first half. Their only moment of joy came when Kaoru Mitoma found the net, but the goal was ruled out after a VAR check.
Second Half: Brighton’s Bold Response
After the break, Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler made a series of bold substitutions. He brought on Gruda, Simon Adingra, Danny Welbeck, and Yasin Ayari—injecting pace and urgency into the team.
The momentum shifted quickly. Brighton pressed aggressively and disrupted City’s control. A handball inside the box gave Brighton a lifeline.
James Milner stepped up against his former club and calmly converted the penalty. “The roar from the stands spoke not just of relief, but of renewed hope,” said one commentator.
The match turned into a frantic battle. Haaland missed a golden chance to restore City’s lead, while Brighton kept pushing forward. Jan Paul van Hecke came close, but was denied by a sharp save.
Then came the decisive moment. Gruda raced onto a through ball, skipped past goalkeeper James Trafford, and slotted home with composure. The Amex erupted.
City tried to respond in stoppage time, but Brighton’s defence held firm. The final whistle sparked scenes of joy on the south coast.
Post-Match Reactions
Hürzeler praised his team’s energy and credited the substitutes for changing the game. “They gave us the spark we needed,” he said.
Guardiola admitted his team froze after conceding the equaliser. “We lost our composure,” he said. Captain Rodri echoed the sentiment, noting that “mistakes and lack of intensity cost us.”
As the international break begins, City face growing questions about their title defence. Brighton, meanwhile, will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming FA Cup clash with Nottingham Forest.
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