Etihad ain’t scary anymore: Man City 2-2 Brighton photos
The Etihad ain’t scary anymore. These photos show Brighton coming away with a first ever Premier League point from a trip to Man City thanks to a 2-2 draw against the four-in-a-row Champions of England.
Seven previous visits. Seven defeats. Three goals scored. Eighteen conceded. That such a barren run is over represents a sign of City’s decline this season and the Albion’s rise into surprise Champions League contenders.
Those hopes of a top four finish would look even stronger had Carlos Baleba scored a glorious chance to secure an Albion win with 10 minutes remaining.
Front and centre of the goal, unmarked from 12 yards out. All Baleba had to do was hit the target. Unfortunately, he only succeeded in sending the ball so far into orbit that it was last seen heading towards Mars.
Erling Haaland gave City an early lead from the penalty spot. That was cancelled out by a stunning Pervis Estupinan free kick, leaving home goalkeeper Stefan Ortega rooted to the spot as the ball crashed in via the opposite post.
Omar Marmoush put City back ahead going into the break. An own goal then provided Brighton with their second equaliser of the afternoon.
It came from another Estupinan set piece. Adam Webster headed down a corner, Jack Hinshelwood shot and Abdukodir Khusanov diverted the ball beyond Ortega.
City came on strong after that but the Albion weathered the storm, eventually turning the tide and creating that golden opportunity for Baleba.
Even with the miss, Brighton have collected an astonishing 10 points out of a possible 12 from the two Manchester clubs this season.
City were beaten 2-1 at the Amex in November. It was the same scoreline when United visited Sussex three months earlier. Brighton then won 3-1 at Old Trafford in January.
Manchester is blue. That is the blue of Brighton. Rather than the sky blue of City.
If you have any photos you would like included in our Man City 2-2 Brighton gallery please e-mail them to wearebrighton@hotmail.co.uk or tweet them to us @wearebrighton
