Visitors Control Tempo After Equalizing at Etihad

Brighton & Hove Albion took control of the match’s tempo after equalizing against Manchester City on Wednesday, dictating proceedings in a 1-1 draw that extends the champions’ winless run to three Premier League matches. City now sit five points behind Arsenal.
City had taken the lead four minutes before halftime through an Erling Haaland penalty. The Norwegian converted after VAR confirmed that Diego Gomez had fouled Jeremy Doku inside the penalty area. The goal was Haaland’s 150th for the club, ended a three-match goal drought, and took him to 20 Premier League goals for the season.
The second half began with City pushing for a crucial second goal. Bernardo Silva came close when he capitalized on a Brighton error, but his shot struck the woodwork. The match’s temperature rose when City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma and Brighton’s Maxim De Cuyper engaged in a heated confrontation, with both goalkeepers shown yellow cards.
Brighton’s equalizer arrived in the 60th minute through Kaoru Mitoma, who demonstrated composure and quality. The Japanese international received a pass from the flank, positioned himself at the edge of the penalty area, and guided a low shot into the far corner with precision.
After leveling the score, Brighton expertly controlled the match’s rhythm, slowing the pace and building attacks methodically. They came agonizingly close to taking the lead when Mitoma’s creative play found Gomez inside the penalty area, but the midfielder’s effort was saved by Donnarumma. Mitoma’s attempt to convert the rebound from near the byline struck the post. City had one final opportunity to claim all three points when Haaland broke through in stoppage time, but Verbruggen’s excellent save ensured Brighton’s tactical control was rewarded with a valuable point.