Brighton’s Away Form Impresses in Etihad Stalemate

Brighton & Hove Albion continued their impressive away form with a well-earned 1-1 draw at Manchester City on Wednesday, a result that extends the champions’ winless run to three Premier League matches. City now sit five points behind leaders Arsenal.
City took the lead four minutes before halftime through an Erling Haaland penalty. The Norwegian converted after VAR confirmed that Diego Gomez had fouled Jeremy Doku inside the penalty area. The goal was Haaland’s 150th for the club, ended a three-match goal drought, and took him to 20 Premier League goals for the season.
The second half saw City push for a crucial second goal. Bernardo Silva came close when he intercepted a Brighton error, but his shot rebounded off the post. The match’s temperature rose when City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma and Brighton’s Maxim De Cuyper engaged in a heated confrontation, with both goalkeepers shown yellow cards.
Brighton’s equalizer arrived in the 60th minute and was scored by Kaoru Mitoma with a finish of genuine quality. The Japanese international received a pass from the flank, composed himself at the edge of the penalty area, and guided a precise low shot into the far corner.
The visitors assumed control after leveling the score, dictating the tempo and creating several opportunities to claim all three points. Mitoma was at the heart of their best chance, setting up Gomez inside the box, but the midfielder’s shot was saved by Donnarumma. Mitoma’s rebound attempt from a tight angle struck the post. City had one final opportunity to secure victory when Haaland broke through in injury time, but Verbruggen’s outstanding save preserved Brighton’s excellent away point.