Staff Reporter.
Manchester City’s sluggish start to the new Premier League (PL) season continued as they gave up an early lead to lose 2-1 against Brighton Hove-Albion at the Amex Stadium.
Brajan Gruda surged through an open defense, rounded the goalkeeper and slotted into an empty net for an 89th-minute winner for Brighton, which trailed to Erling Haaland’s first-half strike — his 88th goal in 100 Premier League appearances since moving to England in 2022.
City conceded an equalizer in the 67th minute after Matheus Nunes raised his arm in the area to block a shot, with James Milner converting the penalty for Brighton.
With City noticeably fading, Brighton created a succession of chances before Gruda converted one.
After opening with a 4-0 win at Wolverhamton, City has lost 2-0 at home to Tottenham Hotspur and now caved at Amex Stadium.
Meanwhile West Ham United eased the pressure on manager Graham Potter with a 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest, secured by late goals by Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta — from the penalty spot — and Callum Wilson.
West Ham lost its first two games in the league, conceding eight goals in the process, and also was eliminated from the English League Cup in midweek.
Elsewhere Michael Salisbury has been dropped for Sunday’s Premier League game between Liverpool and Arsenal after Professional Game Match Officials Limited said it was a mistake for the video assistant referee to disallow Fulham’s opening goal at Chelsea on Saturday.
AP information used in this report.