Manchester Metropolis’s distress continued with a 2-1 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion within the Premier League on Saturday, due to late objectives from substitutes João Pedro and Matt O’Riley that gave the champions their fourth consecutive loss in all competitions.
The defeat marks the primary time Metropolis coach Pep Guardiola has misplaced 4 in a row in his managerial profession and saved his facet second within the league standings on 23 factors from 11 matches. Brighton climbed to fourth on 19 factors.
Metropolis regarded poised to finish their ugly run after Erling Haaland scored within the twenty third minute when Mateo Kovačić threaded a protracted move between Brighton’s two centre backs, and the Norwegian striker booted in his personal rebound to increase his league scoring result in 12 objectives.
Brighton improved after the break and Pedro drew the hosts stage within the 78th minute when Metropolis couldn’t clear the ball and the Brazilian pounced to lash it previous Ederson.
“Final season we dropped too many factors and the gaffer instructed us to imagine in ourselves this season and we’re doing properly this season towards the large groups,” Pedro instructed Sky Sports activities.
O’Riley made his Premier League debut a memorable one when he secured the well-earned victory 5 minutes later, latching onto Pedro’s via ball and slotting residence from shut vary previous Ederson’s outstretched arm.
Guardiola will rue Metropolis’s squandered first-half possibilities, together with a pair from Haaland within the span of some minutes that on a unique evening may have seen the Norwegian celebrating a hat-trick.
The primary probability noticed goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen dive to cease a blistering Haaland shot along with his proper ankle on the close to publish. Haaland then headed simply over the bar.
Whereas Brighton had solely 39.5 per cent possession, it felt like a aim was coming within the second half.
The hosts had a terrific probability quickly after the break when Jack Hinshelwood leapt excessive to move down a looping cross from Pervis Estupiñán that an alert Ederson swatted away.
Metropolis have been hit by accidents with Nathan Aké, John Stones, Jack Grealish and Rúben Dias lacking on Saturday, alongside longer-term absentees Rodri and Oscar Bobb.
Their earlier three defeats have been a 2-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur that eradicated them from the League Cup, a shock 2-1 league loss at Bournemouth, and a 4-1 Champions League thrashing by Sporting that had midfielder Bernardo Silva saying Metropolis have been in a “darkish place”.
Reuters
