Brighton 1-1 Man City: Brighton & Hove Albion have held champions Manchester City to a draw. Roberto de Zerbi’s men put the fire to City, but could not turn one outbreak from Erling Haaland into a victory.
Brighton also impresses against City and secures Europa League football
At Brighton, Jan Paul van Hecke started in the base and Joël Veltman was on the bench. Nathan Aké was not there at all at Manchester City. For Van Hecke it was his third starting place in the Premier League this season, after he also kicked off against Newcastle United last Thursday. Then he got four on his ears and now he got the tough task of stopping Haaland.
Within half an hour that task turned out to be mission impossible. Van Hecke was briefly in the back when Haaland bounced a ball, but the Dutchman then completely lost it when he ran into the depth immediately afterwards. Haaland proved unselfish and passed the ball to Phil Foden. To make matters worse, Van Hecke even got the chance to clear the ball just before the goal line, but he kicked half under the ball.
A few minutes later, Kaoru Mitoma thought to equalize at the far post, but his goal was rejected on the advice of the assistant referee. The Japanese turned out to have made hands. Seven minutes before the break, Brighton could still cheer. Paraguayan talent Julio Enciso put all his frustration from the canceled hit into one long shot. With a missile from about 25 meters from the target, he shot the 1-1 into the top corner.
Second half
Also in the next half, Pep Guardiola’s team had an extremely difficult time against Brigthon, who played good football, which the Spaniard had previously complimented. The home team also did not hesitate to play its own game against the national champion. This was reflected, among other things, in the number of opportunities. Manchester City’s record number of shots conceded this season was thirteen and that record was shattered by Brighton, who fired twenty times at the enemy’s goal.
Fifteen minutes before the end, Veltman also came within the lines. And not much later he saw Haaland score, but Brighton received help from the VAR. The Norwegian turned out to have held his opponent, so the goal did not go through. The game ended in 1-1, so Brighton is assured of Europa League football next season. Number seven Aston Villa can no longer catch up with the team.
Manchester City have one more Premier League game to go. It is against Brentford on Sunday before they can continue the prize hunt. The final of the FA Cup against Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United is scheduled for Saturday, June 3. A week later, Manchester City will face Internazionale in the Champions League final.
