Erling Haaland don score him 150th goal for Man City and also na 35,000th goal for Premier League, but Pep Guardiola boys still gatz settle for 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion for Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.
Brighton start the game sharp, dem dey well organised and make Man City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma make two fine saves early – one na Pascal Gross header wey dey go down, another na tame shot from Ferdi Kadioglu after him dey through on goal.
City slowly begin play correct, and game turn small feisty, both pitch and dugout. Key moment for first half na when Haaland convert penalty after VAR show say Diego Gomez foul Jeremy Doku. Man City lead 1-0 at halftime.
Second half, City start stronger, Brighton no too dey threat like first half, but out of nowhere Kaoru Mitoma equalise on 60th minute, clean finish bottom corner. Mitoma still almost score again when him shot hit post, and City miss big chances – Haaland miss from 8 yards, Rayan Cherki also over.
City try their best, but dem gatz settle for frustrating draw. Dem dey second for table now, 5 points behind Arsenal wey go play Liverpool for Emirates on Thursday. Brighton get respectable draw, dem dey 11th now, just 5 points behind top four.
TPB Verdict
Man City never win for 2026 so far, dem don start year with three draws in a row. For Guardiola career, na only April 2017 and December 2023 him don draw three PL games consecutively.
City dey frustrated as dem miss plenty golden chances to boost title hopes. Dem fit even slip 8 points behind Arsenal if Gunners beat Liverpool. Centre-backs Abdukodir Khusanov and Max Alleyne impress well well, especially Alleyne on senior debut.
Brighton dey slowly become Man City bogey team – dem never lose last four meetings, draw last two Etihad visits. Four points from two games go lift morale, keep dem for European qualification fight.
Man City vs Brighton Highlights
- Erling Haaland goal (41st min, 1-0): Jeremy Doku enter box, fall after Diego Gomez challenge. VAR check, penalty awarded. Haaland step up, send Bart Verbruggen wrong way, end three-game goal drought, 150th goal for City.
- Kaoru Mitoma goal (60th min, 1-1): Mitoma equalise! Pass from Yasin Ayari on edge of box, Mitoma stroke clean strike bottom corner.
Man of the Match – Max Alleyne
Mitoma, Doku and Khusanov do well, but Max Alleyne shine for first senior start. 20-year-old, wey come back from Watford loan, never look lost for City backline, win 5 duels, complete 3 take-ons for first half alone. Na him get Man of the Match.
Match Stats
- Possession: Man City 59% – 41% Brighton
- Shots: Man City 20 – 7 Brighton
- Shots on target: Man City 4 – 3 Brighton
- Corners: Man City 6 – 2 Brighton
- Fouls: Man City 6 – 15 Brighton
Wetin Next?
Man City go now focus on FA Cup, dem go host Exeter City on Saturday. Brighton go travel Old Trafford to face Manchester United on Sunday.
