Manchester City 2, Brighton 2
It was honours even for Manchester City as Brighton earned a point at the City in the Community Etihad Stadium.
Abdudokir Khusanov’s own goal early in the second half drew Brighton level set the scene for an entertaining second half with chances at both ends after City had edged the first half with goals by Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush either side of Pervis Estupinan’s free kick.
The draw leaves City firmly in a battle for the 5th spot that is likely to grant Champions League football for next season with their rivals Brighton just a point behind them but in 8th.
Haaland broke the deadlock from the penalty spot after 11 minutes after Omar Marmoush had been brought down by Adam Webster after he had got on the end of the Norwegian’s through ball.
But the Seagulls were level 10 minutes later when Nico Gonzalez gave away a free kick 23 yards out and Pervis Etupinan’s free kick went in off the inside of the back post with Stefan Ortega rooted.
City lacked composure in front of goal with wild shots by Haaland and Savinho – the latter under pressure from Jan Paul van Hecke – keeping the scores level.
City retook the lead after they won the ball back high up and Ilkay Gundogan found Omar Marmoush in space 25 yards out – the Egyptian made no mistake rifling a powerful shot in off the post.
City coughed up the ball but Joao Pedro failed to make City pay for it by sweeping his shot just wide just before half time.
And just after the break Jack Hinshelwood’s shot from a Brighton corner took a deflection off the luckless Abdudokir Khusanov to beat Ortega and level the scores again.
The chances came fast and Yankuba Minteh somehow allowed a cross to go through his legs as he shaped to shoot with just Ortega to beat.
And Marmoush was flagged offside after he tried to round Verbruggen but was denied a goal by the outstretched arm of the Dutch keeper after Josko Gvardiols cross had seemed to send him clean through.
There remained chances for both sides but Carlos Baleba had a clear chance to win it but blazed over after Nico Gonzalez had earlier headed against the post.
Embed from Getty ImagesPLAYER RATINGS – Manchester City 2, Brighton 2
Stefan Ortega: 6. Under pressure early by Georginio Rutter and somewhat lucky to get away with a fumble of the ball after Kaoru Mitoma was adjudged by VAR to have fouled him while bundling the ball into the net. Rooted to the spot as Pervis Estupinan’s flighted free kick beat him and went in off the inside of the post.
Rico Lewis: 6. Looks more physically up for the challenge, pushed into midfield often.
Abdudokir Khusanov: 6. Fast becoming a cult hero. Does not look out of place at the back now and his covering pace is a massive asset but was unlucky to see Brighton’s second equaliser bounce off him and past Stefan Ortega.
Ruben Dias: 6. Mix-up with his central defensive partner almost cost City.
Josko Gvardiol: 6. Spent a lot of time in attack but defended well.
Ilkay Gundogan: 7. Good square pass for Erling Haaland deserved a better finish. Shot blocked in second half, pushed further up later in the game.
Nico Gonzalez: 6. Gave away a free kick from 23 yards from which Pervis Estupinan scored. Late header from close range came off the post following a corner.
Savinho: 6. Tricky wing play down the right. Had a shot saved and also put off by a sliding Jan Paul van Hecke just as he was about to pull the trigger on another shot. Was under pressure after an early booking.
Omar Marmoush: 8. Energetic start, pressed hard and broke free before bring tripped up by Adam Webster to earn an early penalty. Scored with a very hard shot.
Jeremy Doku: 7. Some good skills down the left but end product again lacking – didn’t take a chance to put Haaland through late on.
Erling Haaland: 7. Cool penalty to get City in the lead after releasing Omar Marmoush for a run on goal. Attracted defenders where he went but skied a good cross from Ilkay Gundogan.
Bernardo Silva (on for Savinho, 58): 6. Took up the station on the right wing to try and keep hold of the ball. Had to go off after getting a knock.
Phil Foden (on for Bernardo Silva, 76): On for the injured Bernardo Silva. No time to mark
Kevin De Bruyne (on for Omar Marmoush, 86): No time to mark.
GOALS – Manchester City 2, Brighton 2
Man City 1, Brighton 0: 11. Erling Haaland sent Bart Verbruggen the wrong way from the penalty spot, driving the ball into the bottom right corner after Omar Marmoush had been tripped by Adam Webster while going for goal.
Man City 1, Brighton 1: 21. Pervis Estupinan’s 23 yard free kick curled round the wall and in off the back post leaving Stefan Ortega rooted to the spot.
Man City 2, Brighton 1: 39. Omar Marmoush was in space and rifled a powerful 25 yard shot in off the near post past a wrongfooted Bart Verbruggen after City won the ball back high up the pitch and Ilkay Gundogan squared the ball to him.
Man City 2, Brighton 2: 48. Jack Hinshelwood’s shot from a corner bounced off the luckless Abdudokir Khusanov and past Stefan Ortega to level the scores again.
MATCH STATS – Manchester City 2, Brighton 2
Man City: Ortega, Lewis, Khusanov, Dias (C), Gvardiol, Gundogan, Gonzalez, Savinho (Silva 56, Foden 76), Marmoush (De Bruyne 86), Doku, Haaland
Man City Subs not used: Carson, Kovacic, Grealish, Reis, Nunes, McAtee
Bookings: Savinho 14 (dissent); Doku 62 (diving)
Goals: Haaland 11 pen; Marmoush 39
Brighton: Verbruggen, Hinshelwood, van Hecke, Webster (C), Estupinan, Baleba (Wieffer 87), Gomez (Ayari 75), Minteh (Gruda 83), Rutter (Welbeck 75), Mitoma (Adingra 83), Pedro
Brighton Subs not used: Rushworth, Cashin, Slater, Knight
Bookings: Pedro 11 (dissent); Mitoma 19 (foul on Savinho); Belaba 26 (foul on Jeremy Doku); Wieffer 89 (foul on Phil Foden); Verbruggen 90+1 (timewasting)
Goals: Estupinan 21; Khusanov 48 og
Referee: Simon Hooper