Pep Guardiola loses 4 games in a row for the first time in his career as Manchester City suffer 2-1 loss at Brighton
Pep Guardiola has set an unwanted record in his managerial career as he lost four consecutive matches for the first time. It came following Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday, November 9.
Manchester City traveled to the Amex stadium for their 11th game of the 2024-25 Premier League campaign, hoping to end a bad streak. Prior to the match, Pep Guardiola’s men had lost their last three matches across competitions.
The unwanted record started with the 2-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the Round of 16 of the Carabao Cup. It was then followed by a 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League at the Vitality Stadium. Sporting CP inflicted more damage in the UEFA Champions League as they walloped them 4-1 in the league phase.
In the early minutes of the clash with the Seagulls on Saturday, Pep Guardiola’s men started on the front foot. While they dominated the game early on, clear-cut chances were hard to come by. Their efforts, however, paid dividends midway through the first half after Mateo Kovacic gave Erling Haaland (23') a pass on goal. The latter was initially denied by goalkeeper Verbruggen but reacted quickly on the loose ball to give Manchester City the lead.
It turned out to be a game of two halves, as Brighton started the second half by dictating proceedings. Before the equalizer, Fabian Hürzeler’s men had their own share of chances but couldn’t convert. However, they kept cranking up the pressure and eventually restored parity in the 78th minute. Kaoru Mitoma’s pass into Manchester City’s box caused a goalmouth scramble, which Joao Pedro slotted home.
Five minutes later, the Amex Stadium was rocking again as Matt O’Riley scored on his Premier League debut to put Brighton in front. Joao was the architect this time, as he teed up the Danish midfielder from a wonderful buildup. O’Riley had ample time to slot the ball past Ederson.
The Seagulls sat back in the added minutes to defend their lead. They eventually took all three points to hand Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City side their fourth consecutive defeat of the season.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says Brighton ‘were really good’ after 2-1 defeat
Pep Guardiola gave his assessment of his side’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton after the match. The Spaniard said Brighton played really well but believed Manchester City were the better side in the first half.
Pep Guardiola said after the match (via NBC Sports)
“The guys played really, really good so I don’t regret. They were magnificent in many ways. Brighton were really good with the ball and a lot of pace up front. In the first half we were really good and brilliant. In the second half, fatigue and they made changes we cannot do right now, and we lost the game.”
Manchester City are in the second position of the Premier League table for the time being. They will face Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad in their next match after the international break on November 23.