Brighton delivered a thrilling comeback to defeat Manchester City 2-1 at the Amex Stadium, marking a significant upset in the 2025/26 Premier League season. The result not only handed Brighton their first league win of the campaign but also signalled back-to-back defeats for the reigning champions, who now face fresh scrutiny as the new season unfolds.
A Shock on the South Coast
Sunday’s encounter began with Manchester City showing early control. Erling Haaland, celebrating his 100th Premier League appearance, continued his remarkable scoring record by netting the opening goal in the 34th minute—his 88th in England’s top flight since arriving in 2022. Omar Marmoush provided the assist, and City looked comfortable, dictating play throughout the first half.
Despite their dominance, City’s attacking edge began to fade after the interval. The Champions wasted several gilt-edged chances, with Haaland himself missing good opportunities to extend the lead. Brighton’s goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen produced a key save to keep the deficit at just one, maintaining hope for the home fans.
Inspired Substitutions Shift the Game
Brighton’s manager, Fabian Hurzeler, made a series of pivotal substitutions around the 60th minute. Among them, seasoned midfielder James Milner and exciting youngster Brajan Gruda joined the action. The change injected life into the Brighton ranks, and momentum shifted dramatically.
The home side won a penalty in the 67th minute after Matheus Nunes was adjudged to have handled a shot inside his own area. Milner, facing his former club and now the second-oldest scorer in Premier League history at 39, calmly slotted home to level the contest. His composed finish was greeted by raucous celebrations, and the match atmosphere intensified.
Brighton Seize Victory Late On
As City tried to regain composure, Brighton pressed for a winner. Their efforts were rewarded in the 89th minute when Kaoru Mitoma set up Gruda. The young midfielder showed remarkable poise, eluding a desperate challenge, rounding City keeper James Trafford, and finishing with confidence into an open net. It was a remarkable turnaround and a moment that ensured the Amex would witness a night to remember.
City’s late attempts to equalise fell short as Brighton held on for a famous win. The defeat illustrated vulnerabilities which have begun to emerge in Pep Guardiola’s squad—most notably the struggle to maintain defensive discipline under sustained pressure.
Numbers and Notable Records
Erling Haaland’s strike saw him reach another milestone, but City’s celebrations were cut short by the weight of history. It is the first time since the 2004/05 campaign that City have lost two of their opening three league matches. Only one team, Manchester United in 1992/93, have won the league after such a start.
For Brighton, James Milner’s penalty was his first Premier League goal since 2019, placing him behind only Teddy Sheringham on the list of the oldest scorers in the competition. The energy from Brighton’s substitutes was essential to the turnaround; Hurzeler credited his bench for providing the “energy and togetherness” that inspired victory.
Manager Reactions and Expert Insights
Fabian Hurzeler hailed the role of spirit and intensity over tactics, noting the profound effect of his substitutes and the crowd’s energy. He stated, “Sometimes football is not too much about tactics. It’s about energy, intensity and togetherness on the pitch. The substitutes came in and made the difference”.
Pep Guardiola, in contrast, acknowledged the shift in momentum after Brighton’s equaliser. He reflected, “When they scored the game shifted. Until the goal we were very good, we had chances and played a good game. Unfortunately we could not do it”.
Pundits across UK outlets have pointed to signs of fatigue in City’s squad and questioned the club’s summer transfer strategy. The second-half drop-off mirrored issues from last season, especially in matches where early dominance went unrewarded. With Rodri making his first league start in nearly a year, City are still searching for fluency in midfield.
What’s Next for Both Teams
Brighton, who now sit in the top half of the table, will hope this comeback launches their season. Their next fixture against Bournemouth provides a chance to build momentum after the international break.
For City, the defeat sets up a crucial response with the Manchester derby looming. Defensive lapses and missed opportunities have cost Guardiola’s side dearly early on, and the pressure is on to rediscover the form that delivered so much recent silverware.
