Man City 0-1 Brighton: Ayari strike ends Seagulls' Etihad hoodoo as City lose again
Yasin Ayari's 11th-minute goal gave Brighton their first win at Manchester City, handing Enzo Maresca's side back-to-back league defeats.
Brighton & Hove Albion won at Manchester City for the first time on Saturday, beating the Premier League leaders 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium thanks to an 11th-minute goal from Yasin Ayari. It was City's second straight league defeat, and it tightened the race at the top: City stay first only on goal difference, with Brighton now third and within two points.
The result came just four days after City had knocked Brighton out of the Carabao Cup on penalties on the same ground, following a 2-2 draw.
An early goal and a long rearguard
The decisive moment came from a set piece. Lewis Dunk took a quick free-kick, Diego Gomez crossed, and Matheus Nunes failed to deal with the ball. Maxim De Cuyper was waiting to lay it off to Ayari, who finished low into the bottom corner past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
City pushed for the rest of the afternoon but could not find a way past Bart Verbruggen. The Dutch goalkeeper made seven saves, including stops from Nunes in the second half and from Jeremy Doku deep into stoppage time.
Brighton also had chances to make the game safe. Donnarumma denied Gomez, De Cuyper missed an opportunity to double the lead early in the second half, and they also struck the crossbar.
Maresca's first back-to-back league losses
The defeat followed City's 2-1 loss at Aston Villa a week earlier. It is the first time City have lost consecutive league games under Enzo Maresca and the first time they have done so since August 2025.
Maresca was blunt afterwards, saying his side were "conceding silly goals" that could be avoided. Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler credited his team's defensive discipline, while acknowledging that some luck had also helped them keep a clean sheet.
Brighton's remarkable run
Brighton's victory was their first away win over City in any competition at the 18th attempt, according to Opta. The Seagulls have now won five of their last six league games and have kept six clean sheets, the most of any Premier League side this season. Sky Sports reported that their points tally is a club record for this stage of a top-flight campaign.
The table and Sunday's big game
After Saturday's matches, the top of the table read:
- Manchester City: 21 points from 9 games
- Arsenal: 21 points from 8 games
- Brighton: 19 points from 9 games
- Chelsea: 16 points from 9 games
- Liverpool: 15 points from 8 games
That makes Sunday's meeting between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield even more significant. A win would take Arsenal above City at the top. The match kicks off at 4.30pm UK time, which is 12.30am on Monday, 2 November in Malaysia.
Key takeaways
- Brighton beat Manchester City 1-0 at the Etihad, their first win at City at the 18th attempt.
- Yasin Ayari scored in the 11th minute; Bart Verbruggen made seven saves.
- City have lost two league games in a row for the first time since August 2025.
- City remain top on goal difference, level on 21 points with Arsenal, who have a game in hand.
- Brighton are third on 19 points and have the most clean sheets in the league.
FAQ
Who scored in Man City vs Brighton? Yasin Ayari scored the only goal in the 11th minute, set up by Maxim De Cuyper after a quick Lewis Dunk free-kick.
Are Manchester City still top of the Premier League? Yes, on goal difference. City and Arsenal both have 21 points, but Arsenal have played a game fewer and visit Liverpool on Sunday.
What time is Liverpool vs Arsenal in Malaysia? Kick-off is 4.30pm UK time on Sunday, 1 November, which is 12.30am on Monday, 2 November in Malaysia.
Sources: Sky Sports, Opta Analyst