Manchester City’s Champions League Hopes Hit as Brighton Hold Them to a Draw

Published on Mar 15, 2025

Manchester City’s bid for a top-four Premier League finish suffered another setback as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Brighton & Hove Albion at the Etihad Stadium. A dramatic own goal by Abdukodir Khusanov in the second half gifted Brighton a valuable point, leaving City frustrated and vulnerable in the race for Champions League qualification.

The match began with City in full control, pressing high and dominating possession. Their early pressure paid off in the 11th minute when Erling Haaland converted from the penalty spot after Omar Marmoush was brought down by Adam Webster. The goal was Haaland’s 21st in the league this season and marked his 100th Premier League goal involvement in just 94 appearances—an incredible milestone that cements his place among the competition’s most prolific strikers.

However, Brighton responded brilliantly with a stunning free-kick from Pervis Estupiñán in the 21st minute. The Ecuadorian defender curled an inch-perfect strike past Ederson, silencing the Etihad crowd and shifting the momentum in Brighton’s favor. City, determined to reclaim control, found their second goal in the 39th minute through Marmoush, who powered a shot into the net to restore their lead heading into halftime.

Brighton came out in the second half with renewed intensity, and their persistence paid off just three minutes after the restart. A corner from Pascal Groß found Webster at the far post, whose header took an unfortunate deflection off Khusanov and into the back of City’s net. The own goal was a cruel twist for the young defender, as City suddenly found themselves level despite their attacking dominance.

Both teams pushed for a winner, with City coming closest when Nico González struck the post with a header. Brighton, too, had their moments, with Carlos Baleba missing a golden chance late in the game. Despite the frantic end-to-end action, neither side could break the deadlock, and the match ended 2-2.

The result leaves Manchester City in fifth place with 48 points, a worrying position for Pep Guardiola’s men as they fight to secure a Champions League spot. Brighton, just behind them in seventh with 47 points, continues to prove their mettle as they remain within striking distance of European qualification. Guardiola described the final stretch of the season as “nine finals,” emphasizing the importance of every remaining fixture in the battle for a top-four finish.

Adding to City’s woes, this match marked an unwanted milestone—they have now conceded 40 league goals this season, the highest under Guardiola’s reign. Midfielder Ilkay Gündogan expressed the squad’s frustration after leading twice but failing to take all three points, underscoring the growing pressure on the defending champions.

With only a handful of games left in the season, City must regroup and find consistency if they are to secure a Champions League place. For Brighton, this hard-fought draw serves as another statement of intent, proving their ability to compete against England’s elite clubs.

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