Brighton staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Manchester City, with Brajan Gruda scoring a decisive late winner at the Amex Stadium.
City went into the break seemingly in control, leading against a Brighton side that had struggled to find rhythm. However, the second half told a different story. Gruda’s calm finish, rounding goalkeeper James Trafford and sliding the ball into an empty net after outmaneuvering Rayan Aït-Nouri, sealed the victory for the Seagulls.
Brighton’s resurgence was sparked by a tactical masterstroke from manager Fabian Hürzeler, who made a quadruple substitution on the hour mark. The changes transformed the game, allowing Brighton to exploit gaps in City’s defensive line, particularly after Bernardo Silva’s substitution in the 72nd minute.
City, in contrast, looked less dominant than usual. Disrupted by pre-season commitments to the Club World Cup and the integration of new players, they struggled to maintain the fluidity associated with Pep Guardiola’s side. Even with Rodri returning for his first Premier League start since last September, the team relied more on individual brilliance than collective control.
Erling Haaland remained City’s main attacking threat, though he was largely kept in check. Early chances were squandered, including a close-range header saved by Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and a misfired shot following a slick pass from Omar Marmoush.
Brighton, meanwhile, capitalized on City’s vulnerabilities, with sustained pressure eventually paying off through Gruda’s match-winning goal. The result highlights Brighton’s growing capability to challenge the Premier League’s top sides, while Manchester City must reassess their defensive structure and cohesion as the season progresses.
