Manchester City Crumble Against Underdogs BrightonManchester City Crumble Against Underdogs Brighton In a stunning upset, Brighton & Hove Albion humbled league leaders Manchester City 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. The defeat marks City’s first home loss in the Premier League since December 2020 and puts a significant dent in their title aspirations. Brighton, who had lost their previous three matches, played with a fearless attitude from the outset. Leandro Trossard opened the scoring after 22 minutes, latching onto a through ball and calmly slotting past Ederson. City struggled to create clear-cut chances and were punished further in the second half. Marc Cucurella doubled Brighton’s lead with a composed finish, before Pascal Gross put the game beyond doubt with a tap-in. A late consolation from Riyad Mahrez was scant reward for a lackluster City performance. The defending champions were second-best in every aspect, their usually slick passing game misfiring and their defense looking vulnerable. Brighton, meanwhile, played with a determination that belied their underdog status. They defended resolutely, pressed relentlessly, and exploited City’s weaknesses with clinical efficiency. The victory sends Brighton into the top half of the table and boosts their hopes of a top-10 finish. For Manchester City, it is a major setback in their quest for a third consecutive Premier League title. Pep Guardiola’s team must now regroup and quickly find their form if they are to challenge for this season’s silverware. Brighton, on the other hand, have shown that they are not to be underestimated and could be a force to reckon with in the remaining matches.
