Pep Guardiola's men beat Brighton, but the Seagulls made them work hard for the three points. Erling Haaland, after failing to score at Liverpool, got on the scoresheet in the 22nd minute and then scored again just before half-time, this time from the penalty spot. Brighton improved in the second half and got a goal through Leandro Trossard, but, when Brighton were most dangerous and could have easily equalised, Kevin De Bruyne sealed the points for Man City.
Man City started the game enjoying the lion's share of possession, but the away side had the first chance when goalkeeper Ederson passed straight to Welbeck and he was unable to find the target from distance. Normal service then resumed and Haaland felt he should have had a penalty after 18 minutes when Robert Sanchez caught him on the ankle, but the referee and VAR surprisingly said no.
Just a few minutes later, Man City took the lead after Ederson punted the ball up-field and Haaland ran onto it before Sanchez managed to reach it. The Norwegian then controlled with his chest and outmuscled Webster before hitting into an empty net. Just after the half-hour, City almost made it two when De Bruyne played a one-two with Grealish before hitting over, but Guardiola's men did get their second before the interval.
Bernardo Silva went into the area and received a slight push in the back from Pascal Gross before contact with Lewis Dunk's leg. The on-field referee waved away City's appeals, but he went sent to the screen by VAR and then awarded it. Brighton felt Bernardo Silva played for it, but the officials disagreed and Haaland made no mistake from 12 yards.
Brighton came out fighting at the second half and even though Mahrez nearly made it 3-0, the away side were on top after the interval. With 53 minutes on the clock, the visitors pulled a goal back after Solley March passed to Leandro Trossard on the edge of the box and the Belgian's effort beat Ederson from 20 yards.
The away side continued to press as they looked to salvage a draw from the encounter and that led to nerves at the Etihad. Tariq Lamptey got on the end of a Mac Allister and then Trossard very nearly made it 2-2 in the 72nd minute after a terrific run into the box, but Ederson made himself big and produced a vital save.
Any hopes of a fightback were then ended 15 minutes from time when Man City attacked, Bernardo Silva found De Bruyne and the Belgian curled one into the corner from 25 yards out. The points stayed in Manchester, but Brighton put up a very good show and did not deserve to lose by two goals.
October 22, 2022