Albion take on the Champions of England and European finalists
24 MAY 2023 -
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 1 Julio Enciso 1
MANCHESTER CITY 1 Phil Foden 1
- PREMIER LEAGUE
at the AMERICAN EXPRESS COMMUNITY STADIUM, FALMER.
The Albion were back at the Amex, where newly-crowned Premier League Champions Manchester City were the visitors for a Premier League encounter, "live" in front of the Sky Sports cameras and broadcast over the airwaves on Talksport and BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
Last time out the Albion won 3-1 at home to Southampton on the 21 May and for the visit of Champions City Albion Head Coach Roberto De Zerbi made four changes to his starting line-up from the Southampton game, with Jan Paul Van Hecke, Billy Gilmour, Facudo Buonanotte and Danny Welbeck coming in for Joel Veltman, Lewis Dunk, Alexis Mac Allister and Evan Ferguson, the latter four dropping down to the substitutes bench.
Manchester City were crowned Premier League Champions for the third season running following their 1-0 home win over Chelsea on the 21 May and for their visit to the Amex, Manager Pep Guardiola made six changes to his starting line-up from the Chelsea game, with John Stones, Rodrigo, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland replacing Manuel Akanji, Aymeric Laporte, Kalvin Phillips, Sergio Gomez, Julian Alvarez and Cole Palmer.
On the 22 October 2022, in the reverse fixture at the Etihad Stadium, City won 3-1, with their goals coming from Erling Haaland 2 (22m & 43m, penalty) and Kevin De Bruyne (75m). Albion's goal was scored by Leandro Trossard (53m).
In their meetings last season City did the double over the Seagulls, winning 4-1at the Amex on the 23 October 2021, with their goals coming from Phil Foden (28m & 31m), Ilkay Gundogan (13m) and Riyad Mahrez (90+5m), whilst Albion's consolation goal came from Alexis Mac Allister (81m) penalty. In the return game at the Etihad on the 20 April 2022, City ran out 3-0 winners, with the goals being scored by Riyad Mahrez (53m), Phil Foden (65m) and Bernardo Silva (82m).
Both teams went at it from the start and it was City who created the first chance when Phil Foden's weaving run down the left ended with a cross to the far post where the goal-machine that is Erling Haaland sent a header wide of the target when he should have scored.
Thereafter both teams created numerous chances, City keeper Stefan Ortega saved from Billy Gilmour, Pascal Gross tried his luck from distance but Ortega easily saved his effort and then Danny Welbeck was unlucky to see his free-kick from 25 yards out crash back into play off the City crossbar. Next Jason Steele in the Albion goal was called into action, saving from Haaland after the Norwegian had been put through by Foden.
City took the lead on 25 minutes when Bernardo Silva's threaded through-ball sent Haaland away on goal and the striker unselfishly passed the ball to Foden who slotted the ball home for a well-worked goal. 0-1.
Kaoru Mitoma had a goal disallowed for handball following a VAR intervention and the Ortega kept out a volley from Facundo Buonanotte.
The Seagulls deservedly drew level on 38 minutes when Julio Enciso pounced on a loose ball and from 30 yards out sent a superb right-footed curled shot into the roof of the City net with keeper Ortega helpless. A candidate for any goal of the season. 1-1.
Welbeck then had another goal chalked off by VAR, this time for offside and a header easily saved by Ortega prior to the break. A superb half of football, with Albion having the better of it.
Half-time 1-1.
Haaland and Ilkay Gundogan had opportunities for City early in the second-half and substitute Cole Palmer tested keeper Steele with a well-struck volley.
Substitute Evan Ferguson forced Ortega to make a superb save to deflect his goal-bound header, then Mitoma had his shot blocked by Ortega and at the other end Haaland fired wide after being set-up by Riyad Mahrez. Pervis Estupinan then tried his luck from 25 yards out but his left-foot shot missed the target by a whisker. Haaland then headed home Palmer's cross but VAR came to Albion's rescue, ruling the goal out because of Haaland's pull on Levi Colwill's shirt. Thereafter the teams played out the closing minutes for a share of the spoils.
Anything but an end of season affair and an excellent game for all to witness.
Final-score 1-1.
Stats:
Albion had 20 shots at goal, with 7 on target and won 5 corners, free-kicks conceded - 16.
Manchester City had 13 shots at goal, with 4 on target and won 1 corner, free-kicks conceded - 11.
SUMMARY - An excellent game to mark Albion's final home game of the season. The point was enough to ensure that Albion play Europa League football next season and clinch sixth spot in the Premier League. Julio Enciso's equalising goal was superb.
The noise indicates that Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo might be on the move this summer which is a pity as they are quality players and the Albion will need quality to maintain their progress.
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Jason Steele; Pascal Gross (Capt), Jan Paul Van Hecke, Levi Colwill, Pervis Estupinan; Billy Gilmour (Alexis Mac Allister 52), Moises Caicedo; Facundo Buonanotte (Joel Veltman 75), Julio Enciso (Evan Ferguson 52), Kaoru Mitoma; Danny Welbeck (Deniz Undav 75).
Subs not used: Tom McGill (G/K), Adam Webster, Lewis Dunk, Yasin Ayari, Cameron Peupion.
Manchester City line-up (4-3-3):- Stefan Ortega; Kyle Walker, John Stones (Sergio Gomez 84), Rodrigo, Rico Lewis; Kevin De Bruyne (Julian Alvarez 57), Ilkay Gundogan (Capt), Bernardo Silva (Kalvin Phillips 84); Riyad Mahrez, Erling Haaland, Phil Foden (Cole Palmer 51).
Subs not used: Ederson (G/K), Shea Charles, Nico O'Reilly, Alex Robertson, Ben Knight.
Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire).
Fourth Official: Graham Scott.
VAR Official: Chris Kavanagh.
Yellow Cards: Albion: 2 - Jan Paul Van Hecke, Joel Veltman.
Manchester City: 1 - Bernardo Silva.
Possession: Albion - 39%. Manchester City - 61%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Billy Gilmour (Albion).
Attendance: 31,388.