Man City 3-1 Brighton – Match Report

Roberto De Zerbi is still looking for his first victory as head coach but he can be proud of Albion’s performance against the strong opponents and champions.

Albion had never beaten City and it was their 11th defeat in their last 13 matches, but when Leandro Trossar scored his fifth goal of the season seven minutes after the break to make it 2-1, De Zerbi’s side felt they had failed.

Trossar came close to equalising but moments later Kevin De Bruyne ended City’s worries with a superb strike into the top corner.

Albion rightly felt that both goals from Erling Haland, who scored before half-time to take his season tally to 17, had hurt the team. They appealed against Haland’s kick to Adam Webster before the goal and had to wait nearly three minutes before VAR Lee Mason ruled that Lewis Dunk had brought down Bernardo Silva on the edge of the six-yard area and Haland scored from the penalty spot to make it 2-0.

De Zerbi fielded the same side that drew 0-0 with Nottingham Forest in midweek. In five matches under his leadership there was only one change in the starting lineup.

The pre-match forecasts were not very good. Albions have never won away from home at City. They have lost ten of twelve away games, including the last eight, with a total score of 21-2.

In the first 20 minutes, “Albion” more than confidently held the defense. De Zerby’s central striker Alexis McAllister came on the pitch to cover Rodri when Albion didn’t have the ball, Pascal Gross covered Bernardo Silva, and Moises Caicedo was always close to De Bruyne.

In the 11th minute, Albion had a good chance after a gross mistake by Ederson, when his attempt to find Joao Cancela was intercepted by Danny Welbeck. He stepped into an empty goal area but his shot, slightly off balance, flew over the bar.

The city then lit a spark. Haaland claimed a penalty after bringing down Rob Sanchez following De Bruyne’s low shot, but VAR correctly ruled it was not a penalty.

However, in the 22nd minute they proved controversial. Ederson’s long shot from midfield was saved by Haaland. He knocked the ball away as Sanchez came out of his penalty area, then pushed Webster and crossed it into an empty net. VAR checked whether Webster had been brought down but, despite Albion’s protests, the goal stood.

Foggy Albion responded again with a beautiful goal. Trossar had plenty of space for a shot which was blocked and Welbeck was awarded a gross corner at the near post but shot wide of the goal.

VAR then intervened again and City doubled their lead. Referee Craig Pawson waved away Silva’s appeal after he clipped Dunk’s outstretched leg, but as play continued and March blocked the shot, VAR conducted another interminable review that lasted nearly three minutes. Finally, Pawson was sent off and the result was inevitable – a penalty which Haaland scored his 600th goal for City. The goal of the Premier League under Pep Guardiola.

It seemed that it would be so, but Foggy Albion had other plans. Tariq Lamptey replaced Adam Lallana at half-time and soon began to press the hosts on the right flank.

The second half started calmly, City controlled the field without creating sharp moments.

The game resumed in the 53rd minute, when De Bruyne passed to Rihad Mahrez, who shot from close range, but Sanchez played accurately.

In the 52nd minute Sanchez made an important save, blocking Riyad Mahrez’s shot, and a minute later Albion scored again. Gross made a pass 40 meters to the left, March found Trossard and with his right foot shot into the near corner of the goal, but it was too much for Ederson.

Albion had to make an enforced substitution as Pervis Estupinan replaced Joel Weltman and shortly afterwards McAllister fired over from 22 yards but his shot went wide of the post. Ederson then touched down thankfully for Lamptey as he tried to disarm Welbeck.

Of course, City continued to threaten and in the 19th minute Aymeric Laporte struck a header but shortly afterwards Trossard was desperately close to scoring another goal when, after crossing midfield, he finished a shot that was well blocked by Ederson.

It was a turning point. Two minutes later, Silva made space, crossed for De Bruyne, who fired a left-footed shot into the top left corner. A world-class goal.

Albion did not stop. Caicedo’s powerful shot is blocked by Manuel Akanji. “City took the points, but they forced them back.

Substitutes not used: Ortega Moreno, Stones, Ake, Gundogan, Gomez, Lewis

Substitutes not used: Steele, Colwill, Enciso, van Hecke.

Scorers:

Referee: Craig Pawson

Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester

Player of the Match: Erling Haaland (Man. City)