Having been crowned as Premier League Champions for the third consecutive season on the weekend, Pep Guardiola’s side travelled to the AMEX Stadium looking to secure another win against Brighton. Morale on the South Coast was high, as both teams entered the fixture having already secured their objectives for the season.
The positive feeling around the ground was reflected on the pitch. With both sides keen to control the game through possession, the first half saw 45 minutes of precise passing and intense pressing. It was the visitors who got the best of the early exchanges, creating several chances for themselves. Only five minutes in, Phil Foden crossed the ball from the left hand side into the box. He found Erling Haaland, who was unmarked – but the Norwegian headed the chance over the bar, surprising everyone in attendance as he failed to convert a golden opportunity.
After receiving a lifeline from the usually clinical goalscoring machine, Brighton came close to punishing Haaland and Man City. A free-kick was won around 25 yards out and Danny Welbeck stood over it – but despite finding a way past the wall, his effort rattled the crossbar. Ortega was beaten, but the woodwork kept his clean sheet intact.
After another opportunity was fumbled by Erling Haaland, the top goalscorer in the league made sure his third opportunity was converted. He was released in behind the host’s defence by Riyad Mahrez, and committed Jason Steele into a one-on-one. But rather than shooting himself, he laid the ball off to Phil Foden who scored past the two Brighton defenders on the line.
Up until the goal, the Seagulls were struggling to get on the ball and sustain attacks – but going behind sparked them into action. They thought they had an equaliser in the 35th minute as Mitoma bundled the ball into the net from a corner, but it was rightfully disallowed as he used his arm to do so.
Less than 10 minutes later, however, the equaliser arrived – legally this time, and it was a spectacular strike. Julio Enciso received the ball 30 yards out from goal, and drove forward at the City defence. Having travelled for five yards or so, he unleashed a rocket from his right boot, picking out the top right corner. His technique was flawless; it was a goal that good even the away fans had to applaud.
A Danny Welbeck goal late in the first half was disallowed for offside, meaning the enthralling opening 45 minutes ended 1-1. The half time interval didn’t disturb the end-to-end game the fans were provided with in the first half, and in fact, it facilitated it in the opening 10 minutes of the second half. For City, Haaland slid the ball to Gundogan on the right side of the penalty area, but his shot went narrowly wide only five minutes after the break. This was followed shortly by a powerfully hit Cole Palmer effort which was saved well by Steele.
The frantic nature of the clash eventually died down, and in the 80th minute, Haaland thought he had finally made it onto the scoresheet, punishing Brighton’s missed chances. He got the wrong side of Levi Colwill and headed the ball emphatically into the net. However, after a VAR check, it was City’s turn to have a goal ruled out. The Norwegian forward had pulled the defender’s shirt, giving himself an unfair advantage.
There was no dramatic late twist in the game, despite both teams pushing for the win. Manchester City extended their unbeaten streak to a staggering sixteen, while Brighton are now confirmed to finish in sixth place – the best in the club’s Premier League history.