Brighton 2-1 Man City: Highlights, man of the match, stats as Pep Guardiola's side suffer second successive defeat in Premier League

Brighton & Hove Albion came from behind to record a 2-1 victory over Manchester City in Sunday's Premier League contest at the Amex.

Erling Haaland had sent Man City ahead in the 34th minute of the contest, with the Norway international on the scoresheet for the 88th time in his first 100 appearances in the Premier League.

However, James Milner levelled from the penalty spot in the 67th minute before Brajan Gruda won it for Brighton in the final exchanges, with Man City losing for the second time in the league already this season.

The result has left Pep Guardiola's side in 12th spot in the Premier League table on three points, while Brighton have risen to 10th, with the Seagulls victorious for the first time in England's top flight this season.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

Man City were in control of the match when Haaland made the breakthrough, but Guardiola's side failed to kick on in the second period, and it cost them, with the Citizens suffering a second successive loss in the league.

Many placed Man City as contenders for the Premier League title when they beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-0 in gameweek one, but the Manchester outfit have now lost to Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton in successive matches.

Next up for Guardiola's side is the Manchester derby after the international break, and it would be some story if Manchester United inflicted a third straight loss on the Citizens.

In truth, Man City have been shaky in their last two matches, looking unsure in defence and between the sticks, while the balance of their midfield just does not feel right.

Haaland will always score goals, and it would not be surprising to see him end the season with the Golden Boot once again, but this Man City outfit look short of title challengers, with a top-four battle looking likely for Guardiola, who is certainly entering the latter stages of his time at the Etihad Stadium.

BRIGHTON VS. MAN CITY HIGHLIGHTS

Erling Haaland goal vs. Brighton (34th min, Brighton 0-1 Man City)

Erling Haaland opens the scoring at the Amex on his 100th PL appearance! ? pic.twitter.com/E1YdV0HpOy
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 31, 2025

Man City make the breakthrough in the 34th minute of the clash, and it is Haaland on the scoresheet, with the Norway international lifting the ball past the Brighton goalkeeper after good work from Omar Marmoush.

James Milner goal vs. Man City (67th min, Brighton 1-1 Man City)

James Milner scores his first Brighton goal from the penalty spot and pays tribute to Diogo Jota with the celebration ? pic.twitter.com/1b2KFgTnl2
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 31, 2025

Brighton level the scores in the 67th minute of the match, and it is Milner from the penalty spot.

A handball from Matheus Nunes led to the award of the spot kick, and 39-year-old Milner sends goalkeeper James Trafford the wrong way to make it 1-1 at the Amex.

Brajan Gruda goal vs. Man City (89th min, Brighton 2-1 Man City)

Brajan Gruda looks to have grabbed the winner for Brighton against Man City! ? pic.twitter.com/UrtZpk6Y7r
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 31, 2025

Scenes! Brighton take the lead in the 89th minute of the contest, with Gruda showing wonderful feet inside the Man City box to sit the goalkeeper down before finding the back of the net. Some skill!

MAN OF THE MATCH - KAORU MITOMA

Mitoma has previously been linked with a move to Man City, and and the 28-year-old was the best player on the pitch on Sunday afternoon, with his quality shining through over the course of the 90 minutes.

The forward had two shots and provided an assist during an all-action performance, but it was his defensive work that earns him the man-of-the-match award, as he continued to help out his backline to play a vital role in the home win.

BRIGHTON VS. MAN CITY MATCH STATS

Possession: Brighton 37%-63% Man City

Shots: Brighton 12-12 Man City

Shots on target: Brighton 7-3 Man City

Corners: Brighton 3-2 Man City

Fouls: Brighton 16-14 Man City

BEST STATS

Erling Haaland gets his 88th goal on his 100th appearance ?

That's the most of any player in history within their first 100 matches ? pic.twitter.com/JiyJQWRu2s
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 31, 2025

Most goals scored in the month of August in Premier League history:

◎ 25 - Andy Cole (44 games)
◎ 22 - Les Ferdinand (47 games)
◉ 22 - Erling Haaland (13 games)

Just look at the games played. ? pic.twitter.com/5CprSOGCRS
— Squawka (@Squawka) August 31, 2025

39 - James Milner is the oldest penalty scorer in Premier League history, aged 39 years and 239 days today. The goalkeeper he scored against - James Trafford - was born exactly one month before Milner's debut in the competition in 2002. History. pic.twitter.com/1LiU60Hffj
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 31, 2025

WHAT NEXT?

Man City, as mentioned, will welcome Man United to the Etihad Stadium in their next Premier League match after the international break, and there will be pressure on Guardiola to bounce back.

Brighton, meanwhile, will be bidding to make it successive wins in the Premier League when they make the trip to Bournemouth on September 13, one day before the Manchester derby.