Man City rocked by Brighton in EPL as West Ham ease pressure on manager Graham Potter

LONDON – Manchester City blew the lead in a shock 2-1 Premier League defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion on Aug 31 that extended their troubled start to the season.

City striker Erling Haaland marked his 100th Premier League appearance with his 88th goal in the competition since joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2022.

But the 25-year-old’s third goal this season was not enough to help Pep Guardiola’s side bounce back from last weekend’s 2-0 home defeat against Tottenham Hotspur.

James Milner’s second-half penalty hauled Brighton level before Brajan Gruda’s late strike completed City’s collapse.

“Football isn’t always about tactics. It’s sometimes about the energy and the togetherness you have,” said Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler. “We showed in the second half we had this intensity and this energy, and with this you can win your games.”

On Milner, he added: “He spreads belief. That spreads to the others. There was pressure with the penalty, but he has dealt with pressure in his past and has got highlights in his career.

“He has proved today he can help us. Wins always change the mood.”

Spain midfielder Rodri made his first league start for City since suffering a serious knee injury against Arsenal in September 2024.

But Ballon d’Or holder Rodri, who had also started a Club World Cup match in the summer, was unable to inspire City to their second win of the season.

“Hopefully after the (international) break, we can be much better,” he said.

“To be honest, I don’t care (City have two defeats in three). The people can think whatever they want. We just have to work hard and focus on us and let’s talk at the end of the season.”

Haaland should have given City an early lead after racing clean through, but he scuffed a tame shot straight at Bart Verbruggen. He also lashed just wide after a flowing City move.

The Norway striker missed another chance with a weak header from Rayan Ait-Nouri’s cross, allowing Verbruggen the chance to claw it to safety.

Haaland persevered and finally pierced the Brighton defence in the 34th minute, stabbing past Verbruggen from close range after Omar Marmoush prodded the ball into his path.

However, Matheus Nunes handed Brighton a lifeline in the 67th minute.

Lewis Dunk shrugged off Bernardo Silva’s attempt to mark him and blasted a shot that Nunes blocked with his arm away from his body.

Milner sent James Trafford the wrong way with a clinical penalty, before copying Diogo Jota’s goal celebration in tribute to his former Liverpool teammate who died in a car crash in July.

It was the 39-year-old’s first Premier League goal since 2019, making him the second-oldest scorer in the competition’s history behind Teddy Sheringham, who was 40 when he set the record in 2006.

City were in disarray and German youngster Gruda, 21, made them pay in the 89th minute, breaking into the area before delivering a composed finish to spark wild celebrations as Guardiola looked on in disbelief.

In the other early Sunday game, West Ham United eased the pressure on boss Graham Potter with a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.

Potter had faced calls for his sacking after West Ham conceded eight goals in two successive top-flight defeats, then crashed out in the second round of the League Cup at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Former Chelsea and Brighton boss Potter, who has been in charge of West Ham only since January, may have earned a stay of execution thanks to their late goal spree at the City Ground.

England forward Jarrod Bowen curled home in the 84th minute and Lucas Paqueta converted a penalty four minutes later after Crysencio Summerville was fouled by Ibrahim Sangare.

Callum Wilson sealed the Hammers’ first win this season with a 90th-minute header. AFP