Pep Guardiola suffered four consecutive defeats for the first time in his managerial career as Manchester City’s dismal run reached a new low with a late collapse in their 2-1 loss at Brighton on Saturday.
With only 12 minutes remaining, Guardiola’s struggling side were clinging to the lead given by Erling Haaland in the first half. However, they capitulated in the closing stages, as Joao Pedro equalised and Matt O’Riley netted Brighton’s winner seven minutes from full-time.
This marks the first time in Guardiola’s illustrious managerial career with City, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona that he has been beaten four times in succession.
It was also the first time City had endured four consecutive defeats since a run between April and August 2006 under Stuart Pearce.
After being knocked out of the League Cup by Tottenham and suffering a first league defeat since December at Bournemouth, City were thrashed 4-1 by Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League midweek.
Their slump continued as they failed to see off Brighton before a second-half collapse that now threatens their bid for a fifth consecutive Premier League title.
Second-placed City now trail leaders Liverpool by two points, and the gap could widen to five if Liverpool defeat Aston Villa at Anfield later on Saturday.
City have been plagued by injuries, with Ballon d’Or winner Rodri out for the rest of the season. Kevin De Bruyne, Nathan Ake, and Manuel Akanji were only fit enough for the bench, while Ruben Dias, John Stones, Jeremy Doku, and Jack Grealish were absent.
Despite Guardiola’s insistence that he would find a solution, City’s struggles continue, with their lack of clinical finishing costing them both in Europe and on the south coast.
City Crumble
Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and teammates celebrated jubilantly after the victory, highlighting City’s struggles. Savinho missed an early chance to put City further ahead after being played in by Mateo Kovacic, but his weak shot allowed Bart Verbruggen to save.
Kovacic’s precise pass created City’s opener in the 23rd minute, splitting Brighton’s defence for Haaland, who saw his initial shot saved but managed to poke the rebound home.
Haaland’s 15th goal in all competitions this season almost became his 16th moments later, but Verbruggen saved his low drive. Kovacic then forced Verbruggen into another save with a long-range volley.
But City’s intensity waned before half-time, allowing Brighton to gain confidence. Jack Hinshelwood wasted a golden chance to level early in the second half, with Ederson making a crucial save.
Pedro eventually punished City’s defensive frailties to equalise with 12 minutes left, and the drama intensified in the 83rd minute when O’Riley timed his run perfectly to slip through City’s vulnerable defence, slotting the ball past Ederson to seal Brighton’s comeback and leave the champions reeling.
