Manchester City’s 2-2 draw at home to Brighton not only left them one point behind Chelsea with a game in hand but also set an embarrassing record in the team’s history of failing to beat Brighton in a single season.
City have struggled in the Premier League this season, losing to Nottingham Forest and drawing with Brighton to take their tally to nine, equating the record for Premier League defeats in a single season set in 2019-20 under Guardiola. It is also the most league losses in a single season in Guardiola’s managerial career.
At the top of the table, Manchester City have been overtaken by Chelsea to sit fifth on 47 points, level with Newcastle, while Brighton are hot on their heels in seventh place on 46 points. The competition for a place in the Premier League’s top five and a place in the Champions League has never been more intense, and Manchester City could slip out of the top four.
Looking back at the two meetings with Brighton this season, City lost 1-2 away from home and Haarland clashed with Van Hajk. The home battle, although Manchester City continued the team history of the home against Brighton unbeaten record, failed to win, which also let them create three humiliating records.
First, Manchester City have conceded 40 goals in the Premier League this season, setting the record for goals conceded in a single season under Guardiola. Second, City have conceded 66 goals in all competitions, also setting a record for goals conceded in a single season under Guardiola, which is also the highest since 2015-16. In the end, Manchester City have failed to win twice against Brighton in a single season for the first time in their history, which is undoubtedly an embarrassing record.
The next games will be crucial for City, who must go all out to win if they are to have any hope of retaining their top four place and qualifying for the Champions League.
