Manchester City’s rocky start to the season took another hit as Pep Guardiola’s men fell 2-1 at Brighton, despite leading through Erling Haaland.
What looked like a routine win turned chaotic after Fabian Hürzeler rolled the dice with a bold quadruple substitution.
James Milner, at 39 and still oozing class, buried the equaliser from the spot before Brajan Gruda smashed home an 89th-minute winner.
Guardiola cut a frustrated figure post-match: “We played brilliantly the first hour but conceded and then forgot to play.” City lost their structure, went long, and paid the price.
Injuries didn’t help either Rayan Cherki is out for two months, and the withdrawal of Abdukodir Khusanov left them exposed for the decisive goal.
Rodri, starting his first league game in almost a year, was blunt: “We’re making kids’ mistakes. If we want to compete, we must raise the level.” It’s early, but with two defeats already, City look a step behind the ruthless machine of past seasons.
On the other side, Hurzeler spoke like a man with vision: “In life, sometimes your body tells you what’s right. You need courage.” His faith in Milner was rewarded, proving again that belief and experience can tilt the game.
The Premier League is shaping into something wild this season. With Brighton buzzing, City stumbling, and rivals finding their rhythm just look at the fire Ruben Amorim has lit at Manchester United or the way Tuchel’s England has entered the stage it feels like a campaign where no lead is safe, no giant untouchable.
