After three defeats from the last four games, Manchester City has once again claimed a victory in the Premier League. Against Brighton, the Skyblues had everything under control for a long time, but made it exciting again at the end.
With Ederson touring South America with the Brazilian national team and Pep Guardiola giving his regular keeper a break, Ortega Moreno was in the Citizens’ box. The German had a quiet afternoon as the Skyblues regained their old strength after three defeats in four games.
Doku, who made Milner look old on the left on several occasions, played a big part in this, as did returnee Rodri. This was also the case after seven minutes, when he served Alvarez in the penalty area after a tempo dribble – 1:0 for ManCity. Brighton, usually so strong in the game, only ran behind and conceded the next goal after 19 minutes, this time Haaland scored powerfully.
Ansu Fati comes on and scores
The game went exclusively in one direction, Brighton were lucky that Doku did not crown his strong performance with a goal of his own (28th). The second half was the same, but the Skyblues took it easy. For a long time there was nothing happening in the penalty areas, after more than an hour Steele was able to distinguish himself against Foden and Haaland (62., 67.).
After 70 minutes Ortega Moreno was called upon for the first time, the German made a strong save against Mitoma. Shortly after, however, he was powerless when substitute Ansu Fati scored the equalizer after a strong dribble from Mitoma (73.).
Akanji flies
The Citizens didn’t get nervous though, with plenty of possession they kept Brighton away from their own goal. In injury time, ex-Dortmund Akanji was sent off with a yellow card, but Ortega Moreno did not have to intervene – and so the three points remained in Manchester. For a short time, the Skyblues take the lead in the Premier League, but Arsenal and Tottenham can still pass each other.
The Citizens continue in the Champions League on Wednesday, facing Bern in Switzerland at 9pm. Brighton host Ajax Amsterdam in the Europa League on Thursday (9pm).