Ten-man City lose five-goal thriller

Joao Cancelo was red carded after just 10 minutes, but goals from Ilkay Gundogan and Phil Foden looked to have put City on the way to a 13th Premier League away win in succession.

But the Seagulls, buoyed by a passionate home crowd, eventually made the extra man pay with three second-half goals to secure a first top flight victory over City for 40 years.

What happened?

The evening began with a guard of honour from the Brighton players and a warm reception for the champions from the 8,000 fans inside the Amex.

The applause was reciprocated by the City players, but the friendly exchanges were forgotten within two minutes with a goal from Ilkay Gundogan.

Riyad Mahrez teased the full-back on he right before sending in a cross that was almost impossible to defend and Gundogan managed to get there first and head the ball past the keeper from close range.

It was the German international’s first goal in 10 games but his 17^th of a memorable campaign.

The complexion of the match took a twist just eight minutes later when Joao Cancelo clashed with Danny Welbeck as the pair chased a ball towards the box and the referee decided the Portuguese had denied a goal-scoring opportunity.

It was questionable to say the least but it meant City would have to defend the lead with ten men for the remaining 80 minutes.

For the remainder of the first-half there was little incident of note, with City comfortably coping with the hosts attempts to up the ante.

The second half began with an explosive five minutes that saw both sides score.

City doubled the lead on 48 minutes with another goal for the Foden collection as he picked up the ball on the halfway line, out-paced Ben White before getting into the area where he fired a low shot across the keeper and into the bottom right corner for his 15^th of the season.

Two minutes later, Leandro Trossard scored a fine individual goal to half the deficit and it was once again, game on.

There was concern as Ilkay Gundogan limped off after being caught by Adam Lallana, but hopefully his withdrawal was precautionary more than anything else.

The host, notably lifted by Trossard’s goal were knocking on the door for 15 minutes or more before Adam Webster thumped a header past Ederson on 73 minutes to make it 2-2.

Four minutes later and Dan Burn scrambled home what would prove to be the winning goal that ends City’s long league winning away run.

FANS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

Without supporters inside the Amex, City would probably have gone on to win this game comfortably.

But carried along on a wave of optimism and energy, Brighton made their man advantage count in style.

It didn’t go our way and on Sunday, we’ll have out turn at making 10,000 sound like 50,000 - either way, thank goodness the supporters are back.

What it means…

City are 12 points clear at the top after Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Fulham.

What’s next?

City wrap up the Premier League campaign at home to Everton on Sunday, backed by 10,000 fans inside the Etihad.

The game will be the last chance to pay homage to Sergio Aguero on home soil, with the Club legend leaving City in the summer.

Pep reaction

To follow…

Teams

City: Ederson, Zinchenko, Cancelo, Dias, Stones, Gündogan (Fernandinho 55) Rodrigo, Bernardo (Jesus 77), Torres (Garcia 13), Mahrez, Foden

Subs: Steffen, Aké, Laporte, Kevin De Bruyne, Mendy, Palmer

Brighton: Sánchez, Burn, White, Webster, Jahanbakhsh (Lallana 49), Gross, Bissouma, Alzate (Zeqiri 65). Moder, Mac Allister, Welbeck (Trossard 29)

Subs: Karbownik, Connolly, Tau, Steele, Caicedo, Walton