Brighton secured a 2-1 victory over Manchester City with a late goal from Brajan Gruda. Erling Haaland scored first for City, but James Milner equalized with a penalty. Gruda’s late goal sealed the win for Brighton, highlighting their comeback and City’s struggles.
Brighton pulled off a stunning 2-1 victory against Manchester City at the Amex Stadium, fueled by a late goal from Brajan Gruda. This dramatic win underscored Brighton's resilience and tactical adaptability under manager Fabian Hurzeler.
The match started with Manchester City seemingly on course for victory after Erling Haaland marked his 100th Premier League appearance with his 88th goal in the competition. Haaland’s strike in the 68th minute showcased his predatory instincts, leaving Brighton with an uphill battle.
However, City's lead was short-lived as Brighton mounted a spirited comeback. Manager Fabian Hurzeler's strategic substitutions around the hour mark proved pivotal, injecting fresh energy and tactical flexibility into the Seagulls' lineup. The changes brought a new dynamic to Brighton's attack, unsettling City's defense and paving the way for their turnaround.
One of the key moments came in the 67th minute when James Milner, a seasoned veteran, stepped up to take a penalty after Matheus Nunes' handball. Milner calmly converted the spot-kick, marking his first goal for Brighton and becoming the second-oldest goalscorer in Premier League history. This goal not only leveled the score but also ignited the home crowd, spurring Brighton to push for the win.
39 – James Milner is the oldest penalty scorer in Premier League history, aged 39 years and 239 days today. The goalkeeper he scored against – James Trafford – was born exactly one month before Milner’s debut in the competition in 2002. History. pic.twitter.com/1LiU60Hffj
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 31, 2025
Brighton's attacking pressure intensified after the equalizer. Yankuba Minteh and Georginio Rutter both tested City's goalkeeper James Trafford, who was forced into making several crucial saves. Trafford also denied Jan Paul van Hecke with a fantastic stop, showcasing his shot-stopping abilities as City aimed to weather the storm.
Despite City's defensive efforts, Brighton's relentless pressure eventually paid off. In the dying minutes, Kaoru Mitoma delivered a precise pass to Brajan Gruda, who displayed remarkable composure to slot the ball past Trafford and secure a memorable victory for Brighton. Gruda's cool finish capped off a superb performance, highlighting his potential as a rising star.
The Data Debrief paints a concerning picture for Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. After experiencing a mid-season slump in the previous term, Guardiola would have hoped for a stronger start to this campaign. However, with just three points from their first nine available, City find themselves in unfamiliar territory.
This marks the first time since 2004-05 that City have lost two of their opening three Premier League matches in a season. Historically, only one team – Manchester United in the inaugural 1992-93 season – has managed to recover from such a poor start to win the title. This statistic underscores the magnitude of the challenge facing Guardiola and his team.
While City managed 12 shots during the game, only three were on target, indicating a lack of precision in their attacking play. In contrast, Brighton managed seven shots on target, despite being relatively quiet in the first hour. Notably, City failed to register a single shot on target in the second half, while facing six shots on target themselves, highlighting Brighton's dominance after the break.
One positive for City was the return of Rodri, who started his first league game since suffering a knee injury against Arsenal in September 2024. However, Rodri's return ended in defeat, marking the first time he has been on the losing side in a Premier League match he started since City's 1-0 loss to Tottenham in February 2023. This defeat ended Rodri's impressive 49-game unbeaten streak, leaving him second to Sol Campbell (56 consecutive starts without losing) in the competition's history.
Brighton's victory was a testament to their tactical flexibility, resilience, and the impact of their substitutes. For Manchester City, this defeat raises concerns about their early-season form and their ability to bounce back from setbacks. The match served as a reminder of the Premier League's unpredictable nature, where any team is capable of causing an upset on their day.