Man City
Manchester City Player Ratings vs Brighton: Defensive Nightmares and Erling Haaland’s Frustration in a Concerning Draw for Pep Guardiola’s Side
Manchester City were held to a 2-2 draw by Brighton & Hove Albion at the Etihad Stadium in a game that was a tale of two halves. While Pep Guardiola’s side showed their attacking prowess, including some magical moments from Erling Haaland and a standout performance by Omar Marmoush, defensive errors—specifically involving Stefan Ortega and Abdukodir Khusanov—cost them dearly. Here’s how each player fared in this disappointing result for Manchester City:
1. Stefan Ortega – 4/10
Ortega was thrust into the starting lineup as the goalkeeper in a crucial Premier League fixture, and it’s fair to say that he had a night to forget. While he wasn’t at fault for Brighton’s first goal, he will certainly be blamed for their second, as his inability to react quickly to the ball from Abdukodir Khusanov’s own goal left his defense exposed. Ortega was unable to provide the kind of reliable shot-stopping expected from City’s first-choice goalkeeper, Ederson.
Although Ortega made a couple of Man City
routine saves during the match, his overall presence was lacking in terms of communication and assertiveness. His failure to command his area, especially during set pieces and crosses, became a noticeable issue, and he failed to inspire confidence in his defense. His poor distribution also added to the team’s woes.
2. Kyle Walker – 6/10
Kyle Walker’s pace and experience were visible throughout the match, as he often had to be City’s last line of defense, particularly when Brighton broke quickly on the counter. In the first half, Walker was solid in dealing with the pace of Kaoru Mitoma, ensuring that Brighton’s wingers didn’t get too much joy.
However,Man City
he struggled in moments when he had to shift into a more defensive role, especially during Brighton’s set-piece situations. Walker was caught out of position on a few occasions, and while he contributed with some key interceptions, he could have done better in cutting out Brighton’s threat in the wide areas.
3. Ruben Dias – 6/10
Ruben Dias was far from his best on the night. The Portuguese defender was caught ball-watching at times, especially on Brighton’s equalizer when Evan Ferguson made a dangerous run into the box. Dias’ positioning was occasionally off, and he struggled to cope with the movement of Mitoma and Solly March.
However, Dias did contribute with a few clearances and won some aerial duels. His leadership qualities were on display as he tried to organize the backline, but it was clear that he was not at his usual commanding best. Given the chaotic nature of the match, it’s hard to assess his performance as a resounding failure, but there were Man City enough signs of vulnerability for City to be concerned.
4. John Stones – 5/10
John Stones had a challenging evening at the Etihad. Known for his composure on the ball and ability to read the game, Stones failed to provide that calmness in the defensive third against Brighton’s attackers. He was guilty of being too passive at times, allowing Brighton’s counter-attacks to gain momentum.
Stones was also involved in the confusion that led to Khusanov’s own goal. His lack of communication with Stefan Ortega and Khusanov was evident, and it resulted in an avoidable mistake. His positioning when dealing with high balls into the box was also suspect. Stones showed glimpses of his class, especially when trying to step into midfield Man City
and initiate attacks, but defensively, it was a forgettable performance.
5. Abdukodir Khusanov – 3/10
Khusanov’s performance will unfortunately be remembered Man City
for all the wrong reasons. The central defender had a torrid evening, and his mistake for the own goal in the 88th minute was a moment of sheer misfortune. With Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma delivering a dangerous cross into the box, Khusanov misjudged the header, and instead of clearing the ball, he inadvertently flicked it past his own goalkeeper into the net.
This moment overshadowed his entire performance, as he struggled to cope with the aerial threats of Haaland and the pace of Brighton’s attackers. His lack of communication with Ortega was also evident, as they failed to deal with Brighton’s set-piece deliveries. It was a nightmare night for Khusanov, and unfortunately, he will be remembered for the wrong reasons in this draw.
6. Rodri – 7/10
Rodri, the engine of Manchester City’s midfield, was one of the brighter spots on a frustrating night for City. The Spanish international was typically composed in possession and played a pivotal role in breaking up Brighton’s counters. His passing range was excellent, as he controlled the tempo of the game and was involved in several of City’s attacking moves.
Rodri’s leadership in midfield was clear as he tried to organize the team and keep the midfield compact. While he couldn’t single-handedly prevent Brighton’s goals, his presence was a stabilizing factor in City’s performance. However, like many others, he couldn’t escape the overall defensive Man City collapse.
7. Kevin De Bruyne – 6/10
Kevin De Bruyne was not at his sparkling best in this game, but he still played a pivotal role in City’s attacks. The Belgian playmaker delivered several dangerous balls into the box, particularly when he tried to link up with Erling Haaland and Jack Grealish.
De Bruyne was involved in the build-up to Haaland’s first-half goal and had moments where his vision and creativity were key. However, his frustration grew as the game went on, and he couldn’t unlock Brighton’s defense in the way he has done so often. His usual precision in the final third was not as sharp, and this contributed to City’s failure to secure a win.
8. Jack Grealish – 7/10
Jack Grealish was one of the few bright sparks for Manchester City, especially in the second half. He was a constant threat down the left wing, regularly creating dangerous opportunities with his dribbling and directness. Grealish played a key role in City’s build-up play, drawing defenders out of position and creating space for others.
Though he didn’t directly contribute to any goals, Grealish’s work rate and creativity were vital in stretching Brighton’s defense. He won several free kicks in dangerous areas and looked the most likely player to create something out of nothing for City. His performance, however, couldn’t prevent the team’s overall defensive frailties from costing them.
9. Erling Haaland – 8/10
Erling Haaland had an outstanding individual performance, scoring a goal and constantly testing Brighton’s defense. The Norwegian forward was his usual lethal self, and his first-half strike showcased his predatory instincts. He was clinical when given half a chance, finding space and finishing with ruthless precision.
While Haaland’s work Man City rate was evident as he dropped deep to link up play, City’s inability to deliver him the ball in dangerous areas in the second half meant that his influence waned somewhat. That said, his goal was a reminder of just how dangerous he is in front of goal, and he was unlucky not to add more to his tally.
10. Omar Marmoush – 7/10
Omar Marmoush was brought in to provide pace and creativity, and he didn’t disappoint. The Egyptian winger was a livewire throughout the match, showing skill, pace, and vision in his attacking play. He was involved in several of City’s dangerous attacks, providing support to Haaland and Grealish.
Marmoush’s directness and ability to take on defenders made him a key outlet for City, and he looked a constant threat on the ball. He played a key part in City’s attacking fluidity, and his contribution was one of the few positives for Guardiola on a frustrating night.
11. Julian Alvarez – 5/10
Julian Alvarez was largely ineffective on the night. The Argentine striker struggled to get into the game and make an impact, especially in the second half. His movement was sometimes static, and he failed to create many opportunities or link up play effectively with Haaland and others. Alvarez was a peripheral figure and had little impact on the scoreline.
Conclusion
The 2-2 draw against Brighton is a disappointing result for Manchester City. Despite moments of brilliance from Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush, defensive errors—chiefly from Stefan Ortega and Abdukodir Khusanov—cost them valuable points in their quest to retain the Premier League title. Guardiola’s side will need to address their defensive frailties, particularly in dealing with set pieces and defensive organization. For now, City will have to regroup quickly if they hope to challenge for the title this season.
