Manchester City’s title challenge took another blow on Wednesday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton & Hove Albion at the Etihad Stadium. The result means City have drawn three consecutive Premier League matches and now trail leaders Arsenal by five points, with the Gunners on 48 points and set to face Liverpool in a crucial top-of-the-table clash.
The hosts took the lead four minutes before the break through Erling Haaland, who scored from the penalty spot after Jeremy Doku was fouled by Diego Gomez. The decision was confirmed following a VAR review, and Haaland confidently converted to reach his 150th goal for Manchester City, ending a three-game scoring drought and bringing his Premier League tally for the season to 20 goals.
City appeared on course to secure all three points when Bernardo Silva struck the post early in the second half after capitalising on a Brighton error. The match became fractious when goalkeepers Gianluigi Donnarumma and Maxim De Cuyper clashed, resulting in both players receiving yellow cards from the referee.
Brighton equalised in the 60th minute through Kaoru Mitoma, who received a pass from the flank and expertly guided a low shot into the far corner from the edge of the box. The goal completely changed the complexion of the match, with Brighton taking control and dictating the tempo as City struggled to regain their rhythm.
The visitors came within inches of claiming all three points when Mitoma’s angled shot from near the byline struck the post following a scramble in the penalty area. In the final moments, Haaland had a golden opportunity to win the match for City, but Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen produced a magnificent save to deny him and ensure his team earned a deserved point that could prove crucial in their season.
