Brighton and Hove Albion pulled off a stunning 2-1 victory over Manchester City on August 31, 2025, at the Amex Stadium, ending City’s unbeaten run and marking their second straight Premier League loss.
Erling Haaland gave City the lead before halftime, but James Milner’s 67th-minute penalty leveled the score, and substitute Brajan Gruda sealed the win with a composed 89th-minute finish.
Rodri made his long-awaited return for City, but Brighton’s tactical changes under Fabian Hürzeler turned the game.
This result drops City to 12th with three points from three games, while Brighton climbs to 10th.
Fans across Europe and the UK buzz with surprise as of 10:45 AM IST today, Sunday, September 1, 2025.
Match Highlights and Goals
The game started slowly, with an early delay due to Brighton’s Lewis Dunk’s injury, lasting three minutes.
City dominated the first half, taking the lead in the 34th minute when Haaland converted a chance after Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen’s poor back pass nearly gifted it away.
City held 65% possession and created several opportunities, with Haaland taking five shots. Brighton managed just one shot, saved by young keeper James Trafford.
The second half flipped the script. At the 61st minute, Hürzeler made a bold quadruple substitution, bringing on Milner, Gruda, and others, shifting momentum.
In the 67th minute, VAR spotted a handball by City’s Matheus Nunes, awarding a penalty that Milner slotted home, sending Verbruggen the wrong way.
The crowd erupted as Brighton pressed higher.
Trafford made a remarkable save on a deflected Jan Paul van Hecke shot in the 88th minute, but Gruda capitalized seconds later on a counter-attack, rounding Trafford and rolling into an empty net past Rayan Aït-Nouri.
City had late chances from Tijjani Reijnders and Haaland but couldn’t equalize.
Key Players and Team News
Rodri returned for his first Premier League start since September 2024, completing 57 of 64 passes (89% accuracy) and anchoring midfield, but City’s structure crumbled after the equalizer.
Haaland remained dangerous but couldn’t add to his tally. Trafford impressed with saves, potentially keeping Ederson on the bench.
City’s lineup included Trafford, Nunes, Khusanov, Stones, Aït-Nouri, Rodri, Bernardo Silva (captain), Bobb, Reijnders, Marmoush, and Haaland. Substitutes like Doku and Gundogan came on late.
For Brighton, Milner’s experience proved vital with the penalty, while Gruda’s composure won it.
Dunk, Van Hecke, and Mitoma held firm defensively. Hürzeler’s subs, including debutant Diego Coppola, injected energy.
Brighton’s XI: Verbruggen, Dunk, Van Hecke, Minteh, Hinshelwood, Baleba, Welbeck, Mitoma, Gomez, De Cuyper, Veltman. Subs: Steele, Gruda, Rutter, Milner, Boscagli, Kadioglu, Ayari, O’Riley, Coppola.
Manager Reactions and Analysis
Pep Guardiola lamented the shift after the goal: “We were excellent for one hour… After the goal, we forgot to play and thought of consequences.”
He praised many aspects but noted the long season ahead. Rodri added, “I’m not Messi—it’s collective.
We need to work hard.” Hürzeler’s fearless changes transformed Brighton, who fought back despite a poor first half.
The Guardian called it an “upset,” noting City’s diminished aura and vulnerability to balls in behind, especially after Bernardo’s substitution.
This loss places City below Manchester United, echoing their 2004-05 struggles.
Fan Reactions on X
Social media exploded with shock. One fan tweeted, “Brighton 2-1 Man City! Gruda’s late winner—City’s aura is gone!”
Another posted, “Haaland scores but Milner and Gruda steal the show—upset of the weekend!”, capturing the excitement.
What’s Next?
Brighton faces Nottingham Forest on September 14, riding this momentum.
City hosts Arsenal on the same day, needing a response.
The result highlights Brighton’s resurgence and City’s early woes in the Premier League 2025 season.
Stay tuned for more updates!