Manchester City 2 Brighton and Hove Albion 1
21 OCTOBER 2023
MANCHESTER CITY 2 ( Julian Alvarez 1, Erling Haaland 1 )
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 1 ( Ansu Fati 1 ) -
PREMIER LEAGUE -
at the ETIHAD STADIUM, MACHESTER.
Following the second international break of the season, the Albion resumed their Premier League programme with a trip to last season's triple champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, the match being broadcast over the airwaves on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
After their exciting 2-2 draw at home to Liverpool on the 8 October, Albion Head Coach Roberto De Zerbi made three changes to his starting line-up from that game, with Jason Steele, James Milner and Danny Welbeck replacing Bart Verbruggen, Joel Veltman and Evan Ferguson, the latter three dropping down to the substitutes' bench.
Last time out Manchester City had lost 0-1 at Arsenal in the Premier on the 8 October and for Albion's visit Manager Pep Guardiola made five changes to his starting line-up from that game, with Stefan Ortega, Manuel Akanji, John Stones, Rodri and Jeremy Doku replacing Ederson, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, Rico Lewis and Mateo Kovacic, the latter five dropping down to City's substitutes bench.
In their meetings in the Premier last season, City won 3-1 at the Etihad on the 22 October 2022, with their goals coming from Erling Haaland 2 (22m & 43m, penalty) and Kevin De Bruyne (75m), with Albion's consolation coming from Leandro Trossard (53m).
In the reverse fixture at the Amex on the 24 May 2023, the teams drew 1-1, with Julio Enciso scoring a worldy for the Albion (38m) after City had opened the scoring through Phil Foden (25m).
Albion's line-up at the Etihad on the 22 October 2022 was (3-4-2-1):- Robert Sanchez; Joel Veltman (Pervis Estupinan 66), Lewis Dunk (Capt), Adam Webster; Solly March, Alexis Mac Allister (Billy Gilmour 87), Moises Caicedo, Leandro Trossard; Pascal Gross (Jeremy Sarmiento 87), Adam Lallana (Tariq Lamptey 46); Danny Welbeck (Deniz Undav 79).
Subs not used: Jason Steele (G/K), Levi Colwill, Jan Paul Van Hecke, Julio Enciso.
Looking for their first-ever win at Manchester City, the Seagulls found themselves under the cosh from the outset and went one down on 7 minutes when their lively winger Jeremy Doku skinned Pascal Gross then finding Julian Alvarez whose looped shot deceived Albion goalkeeper Jason Steele and ended up in the Albion net. 0-1.
Kaoru Mitoma's run down the left ended with a shot which drifted wide of the target. On 19 minutes the Albion fell further behind as Carlos Baleba's misplaced pass fell into the path of Erling Haaland who ran on and smashed an excellent left-foot shot past keeper Steele. Not a good start by the Seagulls. 0-2. City were on cruise control and Doku should have sewn the game up for his team but shot hopelessly wide when well-placed.It had been City's half by a mile.
Half-time 0-2.
Albion made a substitution at the start of the second-half, with Joel Veltman replacing 37 year-old James Milner, the veteran having been subjected to a torrid first-half by the speedy Doku. The Seagulls stepped their game up and Simon Adringa's pass found Gross who from twelve yards out pulled his shot wide of the post when he should have hit the target. The game was becoming stretched and Alvarez, Phil Foden and Haaland missed chances to increase City's lead. At the other end Mitoma twice went close to scoring for the visitors before on 73 minutes the Japanese international got free on the left from whence he crossed into the box where the ball rebounded to substitute Ansu Fati who coolly steered the ball home and the Seagulls were back in the game. 1-2.
The Albion now took the game to City but try as they might they couldnt muster up an equaliser. City's Manuel Akanji collected a second yellow card and then red for pulling back Fati in time added on, then Albion's Solly March was stretchered off, with what looked like a serious knee injury. Albion had previously also lost Danny Welbeck to injury in the 16th minute.
Final-score 1-2.
Match stats:
Albion had 5 attempts at goal, with 3 on target and won 2 corners, free-kicks conceded - 11.
City had 10 attempts at goal, with 6 on target and won 2 corners, free-kicks conceded - 9.
TO SUM UP - A game of two halves, Albion poor first-half, good second-half. Lewis Dunk held the defence together, up front Kaoru Mitoma was lively and should have had a couple of goals to his name. Albion are winless in five and there are opportunities to get back to winning ways, with home matches against Ajax (26/10) and Fulham (29/10).
Come on Albion!
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Jason Steele; James Milner (Joel Veltman 46), Lewis Dunk (Capt), Igor Julio, Solly March (Jan Paul Van Hecke 90+4); Pascal Gross, Carlos Baleba (Billy Gilmour 66); Simon Adringa, Danny Welbeck (Evan Ferguson 16), Kaoru Mitoma; Joao Pedro (Ansu Fati 65).
Subs not used: Bart Verbruggen (G/K), Adam Webster, Mahmoud Dahoud, Adam Lallana.
Manchester City line-up (3-4-2-1):- Stefan Ortega; Kyle Walker (Capt), Manuel Akanji, Josko Gvardiol; John Stones (Ruben Dias 75), Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden; Julian Alvarez (Nathan Ake 90+6), Jeremy Doku (Jack Grealish 75); Erling Haaland. Subs not used: Ederson (G/K), Kalvin Phillips, Mateo Kovacic, Sergio Gomez, Matheus Nunes, Rico Lewis.
Referee: Robert Jones (Merseyside).
Red Card: Manchester City: 1 - Manuel Akanji.
Yellow Cards:
Albion: 2 - Igor Julio, Solly March. Manchester City: 4 - Rodri, Jack Grealish, Manuel Akanji (2).
Possession: Albion - 45%. Manchester City - 55%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Julian Alvarez (Manchester City).
Attendance: 53466.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES:
26 OCTOBER 2023 - AJAX - home - Europa League - kick-off 20.00. "Live" on TNT Sports 2.
29 OCTOBER 2023 - FULHAM - home - Premier League - kick-off 14.00.