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Brighton stunned Manchester City 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday to claim their first ever Premier League away win over City.
Yasin Ayari scored the only goal in the 11th minute, finishing from close range after a set-piece move involving Diego Gomez and Maxim De Cuyper.
The goal came after Matheus Nunes failed to cut out Gomez’s low cross, with the ball deflecting off De Cuyper into Ayari’s path.
The victory was revenge for Brighton, who were knocked out by City in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Wednesday at the same ground.
Brighton had twice led in that tie which ended 2-2 before losing 4-3 on penalties. Ayari and captain Lewis Dunk both missed penalties in that shootout.
Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen was named Player of the Match, making seven saves to preserve the lead. He denied Iliman Ndiaye, who rattled the crossbar twice, Erling Haaland from a corner, and Matheus Nunes with an athletic stop.
City dominated possession with 61 percent and had 19 shots to Brighton’s 7, but failed to break through. The defeat ended City’s 24-game Premier League scoring streak at the Etihad and marked their first loss in a Saturday 3pm kick-off since October 2021.
It is back-to-back Premier League defeats for Pep Guardiola’s successor Enzo Maresca’s side, following last weekend’s 2-1 loss at Aston Villa. City had won their opening seven league games of the season.
For Brighton, the result consolidates third place and is their best ever start to a top-flight campaign.
Under Fabian Hurzeler, the Seagulls have now also beaten champions Arsenal this season and move to within two points of leaders City.
The win at the 18th attempt ends Brighton’s long wait for an away victory at City, with champions Arsenal able to move top if they avoid defeat against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
