Match Report & Player Ratings: Manchester City 2-2 Brighton & Hove Albion (Premier League) | OneFootball

Manchester City lost further ground in the Premier League top four after being held to a 2-2 draw by Brighton and Hove Albion at the City in the Community Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Brighton started the match pressing high and giving some trouble to the hosts. With only six minutes, Jack Hinshelwood found Kaoru Mitoma inside the area, who put the ball in the net – only to be ruled offside in an early scare for the Premier League champions.

City replied with a wave of their own attacks – and a brilliant team move resulted in Omar Marmoush being dragged down in the Brighton box by Adam Webster after an outstanding dribble from the Egyptian, with Haaland converting from the resulting penalty to give City a crucial lead.

The visitors levelled up the score after Gonzalez gave away a freekick in a dangerous position and Pervis Estupiñán’s well-thought free kick went in off the post from Stefan Ortega’s near post – a second week running City have conceded from the near post.

Savinho was denied from scoring a few times before City regained their lead through a Marmoush wonder strike. Ilkay Gundogan recovered possession and found City’s number seven, who thumped one in from distance to give the hosts an advantage heading into the break.

João Pedro had a chance to equalise in the final moments of the first 45 minutes. Josko Gvardiol’s pass was misplaced and the Brazilian took a low driven shot wide, pressed by Abdukodir Khusanov and Rúben Dias.

Early in the second half, Khusanov deflected Hinshelwood’s effort into his own net as Brighton made it 2-2 less than three minutes into the restart.

Bernardo Silva replaced Savinho in the 58th minute and was then subbed off 20 minutes later by Phil Foden due to an injury. Gonzalez’s headed effort hit the post from a Gundogan corner in what could have been the winner. Brighton also had a chance of scoring late on, but Carlos Baleba sent it far away.

Here’s how the Manchester City players fared in another disappointing result in their bid to finish in the Premier League top four.

Stefan Ortega Moreno – 5/10

Replacing Ederson, he also replicated the Brazilian by conceding a goal at his near post when Estupinian’s free kick went in to level proceedings. He couldn’t do much for the second goal.

Rico Lewis – 6/10

A neutral display from the young academy graduate. Didn’t add much, nor was he a liability.

Abdukodir Khusanov – 5.5/10

Wasn’t as confident on the ball as he has shown and unfortunately scored an own goal.

Rúben Dias – 6/10

Confident as always but there was nothing he could do about the conceded goals.

Josko Gvardiol – 6/10

Misplaced some passes in defence but coped well with some tackles to deny Brighton from advancing from his flank.

Nico González – 6.5/10

Not as effective as he could be. Was unlucky as his header in the 79th minute hit the post and not the back of the net.

Ilkay Gundogan – 7/10

Set up Marmoush’s goal and was generally comfortable on the ball. Took a few nasty knocks and didn’t shy away from throwing himself into challenges. A solid performance.

Omar Marmoush – 8/10 (POTM)

Scored an amazing goal and won a penalty. He was also a threat once he controlled the ball and was City’s best attacking outlet on the day.

Savinho – 5/10

Missed two huge chances that should have been put away. He needs to be more clinical and surely today was the perfect example why.

Jeremy Doku – 6/10

Lively as usual, he just lacks the end product. Once he finds the right passes in the final third, he will fly high.

Erling Haaland – 7/10

Did the things Erling Haaland always does: scored an important goal, marking his name in Premier League history as he became the fastest player (94 games) to reach 100 goal involvements in the English top-flight.

Substitutes:

Bernardo Silva – 6/10

Joined the game and left the field 22 minutes after with an injury.

Phil Foden – 6/10

Coming in from the bench, he didn’t have the expected impact on the match.

Kevin De Bruyne – NA