The outcome could very easily have been different.
It was an afternoon when Manchester City accumulated an xG of 1.92, compared to Brighton’s 1.00, so there was no shortage of chances for the hosts.
Home manager Enzo Maresca is all too aware that City will need to find their finishing touch – and quickly – if they are to mark their first campaign in charge with a first Premier League title since 2024.
Manchester City have managed 21 shots on target without scoring, their highest number without doing so in the Premier League since November 2024, when they managed 24 in a match and drew.
When Maresca sits down to examine his team’s shortcomings, he will particularly miss the chances from Iliman Ndiaye, Abdukodir Khusanov and Nunes.
But to say that Brighton’s victory was only down to a poor City performance would be an extreme injustice to Hurzeler’s side, who are fast becoming one of the most complete teams in the Premier League.
As well as being the division’s top scorer – having found the net 24 times in nine matches this season – Brighton have also kept the most clean sheets (six).
Only Premier League champions Arsenal – who have played a game less and travel to Anfield to face Liverpool on Sunday – have conceded fewer goals than Brighton have conceded seven. Arsenal have shipped five ahead of the Liverpool game.
One of the main reasons for Brighton’s strong rearguard was the signing of Luka Vuskovic from Tottenham Hotspur.
The 19-year-old has been a transformative figure since arriving at the Amex Stadium for a club-record fee in July, starting all nine Premier League matches.
The Croatian formed a strong partnership with compatriot Lewis Dunk and struck up an understanding with goalkeeper Verbruggen, all of whom played the full 90 minutes at the Etihad.
“It was a good game from all of us,” Verbruggen said. “I’m happy to help the team and make important saves, but I wasn’t the only one.
“I think there were also four or five blocked shots in an incredible way. It was a joint effort from everyone. We celebrate and here we go again.”
Gn headline
