Manchester City were awarded a penalty that proved decisive in their eventual 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday, though the champions’ winless run extended to three Premier League matches. City now sit five points behind Arsenal.
The penalty was given four minutes before halftime when Diego Gomez fouled Jeremy Doku in the Brighton box. After a VAR review confirmed the decision, Erling Haaland stepped up and converted confidently. The goal was his 150th for Manchester City, ended a three-match scoring drought, and took him to 20 Premier League goals for the season.
City nearly doubled their advantage early in the second half when Bernardo Silva capitalized on a Brighton defensive error, but his shot struck the post. The match’s intensity increased when a confrontation erupted between City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Brighton’s Maxim De Cuyper, with both players receiving yellow cards.
Brighton equalized in the 60th minute through Kaoru Mitoma, who produced a finish of excellent quality. The Japanese international received a pass from the flank, composed himself at the edge of the penalty area, and guided a low shot into the far corner with precision.
The visitors took command after scoring, dictating the tempo and creating several opportunities to claim victory. Mitoma was instrumental in Brighton’s best chance, finding Gomez inside the penalty area, but the midfielder’s shot was saved by Donnarumma. Mitoma’s rebound attempt from a tight angle struck the post. City had one final opportunity to secure all three points when Haaland broke through in stoppage time, but Verbruggen produced an excellent save to deny him and ensure the spoils were shared.