Manchester City suffered a 2-1 defeat to Brighton, with Guardiola admitting his team ‘forgot to play’ after taking the lead. James Milner’s penalty and a late goal from Brajan Gruda secured the win for Brighton. This marks City’s second consecutive loss, raising concerns about their early-season form. Brighton’s manager, Fabian Hurzeler, praised the team’s energy and Milner’s influence. The defeat highlights the need for City to regain focus and improve their performance levels.
Manchester City's early Premier League campaign suffered another blow as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against a resurgent Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium. Pep Guardiola didn't mince words, conceding that his team "forgot to play" after taking the lead, a worrying sign for the reigning champions.
The match began brightly for City, with Erling Haaland continuing his scoring form, netting the opening goal in the first half. City appeared to be in control, dictating the tempo and creating several opportunities to extend their advantage. However, Brighton, buoyed by their home support, refused to buckle. The Seagulls displayed resilience and tactical nous, gradually clawing their way back into the contest.
The turning point arrived in the 67th minute when James Milner, the former City player, coolly converted a penalty, leveling the score and injecting renewed energy into the Brighton side. Milner, wearing the number 20 shirt in honor of his late Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota, poignantly imitated Jota's celebration after scoring, a touching tribute that resonated throughout the stadium. As reported after the game, Milner dedicated the goal to Jota, who tragically passed away in a car accident in July. Milner said, "Obviously, Jots meant so much to everyone. It is an honor to wear his number this season. It was horrific [what happened to him]. He was a great guy and a great team-mate."
WHAT A WIN FOR THE ALBION!pic.twitter.com/zMp7jWzBSL
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) August 31, 2025
Following the equalizer, the momentum shifted decisively in Brighton's favor. Guardiola lamented his team's inability to maintain their composure, stating, "When they scored, the game shifted. Until the goal, we were very good, we had chances and played a good game. After the goal, we forgot to play. We were thinking of the consequences."
Brighton capitalized on City's uncertainty, pressing forward with relentless intensity. Their pressure paid off in the 89th minute when Brajan Gruda, a name that will now be etched in Brighton folklore, scored the decisive goal, sending the Amex Stadium into raptures. The late goal sealed a memorable victory for Brighton and compounded City's woes.
The defeat marks City's second consecutive loss, following their 2-0 reverse against Tottenham Hotspur the previous weekend. This is the first time since the 2004-05 season that City have lost two of their opening three Premier League games, a statistic that will undoubtedly concern Guardiola and his backroom staff.
Statistically, only one team in Premier League history has recovered from such a poor start to win the title – Manchester United in 1992-93. While Guardiola remained optimistic, emphasizing that "the season has just started," he acknowledged the need for significant improvement. "There is a long, long season ahead of us. We will see what happens," he said.
Midfielder Rodri, making his first Premier League start since September 2024, echoed his manager's sentiments, stressing the importance of self-reflection and a swift return to form. "[We’re] disappointed because we are Manchester City, and we come here to win,” he said. “The only way to come back is to look at ourselves. We are missing the level. This is our reality, it is not for excuses, and we have to see this is not the way to achieve things."
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler praised the impact of veteran Milner, who became the oldest player in Premier League history to score a penalty. "He spreads belief. That spreads to the others," Hurzeler said. "He is still a very important personality and player on the pitch for us. He came on and brought energy and organised it, so I am happy for him."
Hurzeler also highlighted the importance of team spirit and energy in securing the victory. "Football isn’t always about tactics. It’s sometimes about the energy and the togetherness you have. We showed in the second half we had this intensity and this energy, and with this, you can win your games," he concluded.
The defeat serves as a wake-up call for Manchester City. Guardiola faces the challenge of reigniting his team's spark and ensuring they rediscover the focus and determination that characterized their previous title-winning campaigns. For Brighton, the victory is a testament to their growing ambition and a clear signal that they are a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League.