Manchester City dropped points for the third consecutive game, drawing 1-1 with Brighton.
Despite an early lead through an Erling Haaland penalty, a weary City side, missing nine key players, were forced to settle for a point after Kaoru Mitoma’s equalizer, leaving Pep Guardiola’s men five points adrift of league leaders Arsenal.
Man City Player Ratings vs Brighton
Donnarumma: The goalkeeper endured some frantic moments between the posts, but he stepped up with several vital interventions when his backline left him unprotected. Despite the chaos in front of him, he held firm. 6
Nunes: After a decent start, the defender seemed to run out of steam as the match progressed into the second half. A lapse in concentration proved costly when he allowed the ball to sail over him, gifting Mitoma the chance to level. 6
Khusanov: While his approach to sliding challenges can be somewhat predictable, his recovery speed was essential in neutralizing the threat posed by the Brighton attackers throughout the evening. 7
Alleyne: In a composed first-team introduction, the debutant looked remarkably at ease alongside his more experienced peers. He showed great maturity in his distribution and looked comfortable driving forward from the back. 7
Ake: The opposition frequently attempted to exploit his lack of top-end speed, occasionally finding success on the flanks. However, for the most part, he managed to hold his ground without facing overwhelming pressure. 6
Gonzalez: Returning to the lineup following a layoff, he lacked his usual sharpness and physical intensity. It was clear he was tiring long before the bench finally decided to swap him for Rodri. 6
Silva: A frustrating night for the midfielder, highlighted by a massive second-half miss that likely would have killed the game. Aside from that wasted opportunity, he failed to provide his typical creative spark. 6
Foden: The playmaker appeared physically exhausted, with his execution failing to match his vision. He struggled to impact the flow of the game as his tired legs hampered his overall performance. 5
Reijnders: He found it difficult to leave his mark on the proceedings, often struggling to retain possession or progress the ball effectively against a disciplined Brighton setup. 5
Doku: Standing out as the most energetic member of the front line, he provided much-needed pace. While he could have been more clinical with his final ball, his directness earned the penalty for City’s only goal. 7
Haaland: The striker was clinical from the penalty spot and held his own in several bruising physical encounters, though he will be disappointed not to have converted a late chance that could have secured the win. 6