Pep Guardiola said his team “forgot to play” after Manchester City gave up a lead to lose 2-1 at Brighton on Saturday. It was City's second defeat in three Premier League games, the first time they have lost two of their opening three league matches in 21 years.
City had taken the lead through Erling Haaland and seemed in control until Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler made a quadruple substitution after an hour. James Milner, at 39, came off the bench to equalise from the penalty spot seven minutes later, and Brajan Gruda scored the winner in the 89th minute.
“We played brilliantly the first hour but conceded a goal and then forgot to continue playing,” Guardiola said. “We decided to play long but we were not good enough. Sometimes the momentum changes the shapes.” He also confirmed Rayan Cherki is likely to be out for two months with a thigh injury, and noted that Abdukodir Khusanov's injury hampered City's ability to cover defensively.
Rodri, making his first league start in almost a year, said: “We are missing the level... some of the mistakes we are making are kids’ mistakes, not concentrating and paying attention. The reality is that we have to raise the level if we want to compete.”
Hürzeler praised his substitutes, saying: “You need 11 players who are changed by the subs, by their energy and belief. One has the spark and the spark becomes like a fire.” He also hailed Milner's influence as a “positive virus”.
