9 NOVEMBER 2024
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 2 MANCHESTER CITY 1 -
PREMIER LEAGUE - at the AMERICAN EXPRESS STADIUM, FALMER.
Back at the Amex for Matchday 11, the Albion welcomed last season's Premier League Champion's Manchester City to the South Coast for a Premier League encounter, "live" in front of the Sky Sports cameras and broadcast over the airwaves on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
In their previous outing Albion had lost 1-2 away at Liverpool on the 2 November and for City's visit the Albion made one change to their starting line-up from that game, with Simon Adingra coming in for the injured Ferdi Kadioglu. On the substitutes bench for the Albion were the fit-again Matt O'Riley and Joao Pedro.
Chasing a fifth Premier League title in a row, last time out in the Premier City had lost 1-2 at AFC Bournemouth on the 2 November and for their visit to the Amex City made three changes to their starting line-up from that game, with youngsters Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Rico Lewis and Savinho replacing Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake and Bernardo Silva.
In the previous mid-week City had lost 1-4 at Sporting CP in Lisbon on the 5 November in the UEFA Champions League. In their meetings in the Premier last season City did the double over the Albion, with City winning 2-1 at the Etihad on the 21 October 2023, with Julian Alvarez (7m) and Erling Haaland (19m) netting their goals, with Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati (73m) replying for the Seagulls. In the return game at the Amex on the 25 April 2024, City ran out 4-0 winners, with their goals coming from Phil Foden 2 (26m & 34m), Kevin De Bruyne (17m) and Julian Alvarez (62m).
Albion's Remembrance Day match was preceded by the laying of wreaths on the pitch, a period of silence and the playing of the Last Post as a mark of respect to those who gave their lives during conflicts
City dominated early possession and they conjured up the first chance of note when Mateo Kovacic's precise through pass found on-running winger Savinho who raced clear of the Albion back-line but keeper Bart Verbruggen pulled off an excellent save to deny the Brazilian. However, on 23 minutes the visitors did take the lead when a superb Kovacic through ball found Erling Haaland who ran on to plant the ball past keeper Verbruggen for City's opener. 0-1.
City continued to dominate and missed chances to increase their lead through Haaland (twice) and Kovacic. Albion gradually grew into the contest and City defender Josko Gvardiol made an excellent defensive block to deflect a goal-bound Danny Welbeck shot and minutes later Welbeck's free-kick from 25 yards out naarrowly missed the target. City's half but the Seagulls were still in it.
Half-time 0-1.
The Albion started the second-half by substituting Carlos Baleba for Yasin Ayari. The Seagulls created a great chance on 51 minutes when Jack HInshelwood's point-blank header saw City keeper Ederson produce a brilliant reflex save to keep the ball out of the net. Just past the hour mark Savinho's curled shot flashed just wide. Chances then fell to Kaoru Mitoma and substitute Joao Pedro which were not converted.
However, on 78 minutes Pedro fired the ball home following a goalmouth scramble to equalise for the Seagulls. 1-1.
Better was to follow five minutes later as Pedro fed fellow substitute Matt O'Riley in the box and the former Celtic man swept the ball home for what was to prove Albion's winner. The Albion supporters went wild with excitement. It was O'Riley's first Premier League goal for the Albion and on his Premier debut. 2-1.
The Seagulls had a scare on 89 minutes when substitute Kevin De Bruyne's volley narrowly missed the target. Despite nine minutes of time added on, the Albion saw out the remainder of the game to record one of their best-ever wins in the Premier. Final-score 2-1.
Match stats:
Albion had 10 attempts at goal, with 4 on target and won 0 corners, free-kicks conceded - 12.
Manchester City had 15 attempts at goal, with 6 on target and won 4 corners, free-kicks conceded - 10.
VERDICT - An excellent win by the Albion over Champions City. The introduction of three super Albion substitutes, Carlos Baleba, Matt O'Riley and Joao Pedro at various stages of the second-half swung the game Albion's way and it was fitting that Matt O'Riley scored his first Albion goal on his Premier League debut. This was one of Albion's finest ever wins in the Premier.
Albion line-up (4-4-2):- Bart VERBRUGGEN; Joel VELTMAN, Jan Paul VAN HECKE, Igor JULIO, Pervis ESTUPINAN; Simon ADINGRA (Joao PEDRO 65), Jack HINSHELWOOD (Matt O'RILEY 57), Yasin AYARI (Carlos BALEBA 46), Kaoru MITOMA (Jakub MODER 90);Georginio RUTTER (Brajan GRUDA 66), Danny WELBECK (Capt).
Subs not used: Jason STEELE (G/K), Mats WIEFFER, Julio ENCISO, Evan FERGUSON.
Manchester City line-up (4-1-4-1):- EDERSON; Kyle WALKER (Capt), Jahmai SIMPSON-PUSEY, Josko GVARDIOL, Rico LEWIS; Mateo KOVACIC; SAVINHO (Kevin DE BRUYNE 74), Phil FODEN, Ilkay GUNDOGAN (Bernardo SILVA 72), Matheus NUNES; Erling HAALAND.
Subs not used: Stephan ORTEGA (G/K), Manuel AKANJI, Nathan AKE, Jacob WRIGHT, Josh WILSON-ESBRAND, James McATEE, Nico O'REILLY.
Referee: Samuel Barrott (Yorkshire).
Fourth Official: Andy Davies.
VAR Official: Jarred Gillett.
Yellow Cards:
Albion: 3 - Jan Paul Van Hecke, Igor Julio, Yasin Ayari.
Manchester City: 3 - Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Rico Lewis, Erling Haaland.
Possession: Albion - 40%. Manchester City - 60%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Matt O'Riley (Albion).
Attendance: 31715.
NEXT GAME:
23 NOVEMBER 2024 - AFC BOUIRNEMOUTH - Away - Premier League - kick-off 15.00.