Three things we learned - Manchester City 2-2 Brighton and Hove Albion
03/17/2025 07:02 PM
City and Brighton share points in sloppy affair
Manchester City and Brighton and Hove Albion couldn't be separated, as the Seagulls came from behind twice to take a point away from the Etihad Stadium.
City went ahead first through Erling Haaland then Omar Marmoush, with Pervis Estupinian's free kick and Abdukodir Khusanov's own goal drawing Brighton level.
The Blues were better than against Nottingham Forest but it was frustrating once again to see them struggle in attack, particularly in the second half, at a quiet Etihad Stadium.
Here are three things we learned as City and Brighton drew:
On field issues the same from last season - but worse
I remember a few games last season where City struggled to break teams down, and were prone to conceding themselves.
That has been the case a lot more often this season. City are lacking both legs and creativity in their midfield, which means they often really struggle against teams with any sort of quality.
Relying on Jeremy Doku and Savinho to create chances is just not sustainable. In my opinion, they're the best two wingers in the division at beating their man, but their end product is inconsistent at best, and at worst, is miles off the level required.
Both are young, and will probably improve. But neither of them seem to be the archetypal Pep Guardiola player, certainly when you compare them to Jack Grealish, Omar Marmoush, Phil Foden or Oscar Bobb.
Whilst the squad remains not clinical enough and not refined enough (whilst also aging in other areas) it'll struggle to get back to anywhere near to the super team it once was.
Off pitch issues have taken its toll on the atmosphere
Things are far from rosy off the pitch as well.
The atmosphere was really flat and quiet. In my block, people didn't even celebrate the awarding of Haaland's penalty, nor did many people stand up to celebrate when the ball went into the net.
It seemed that people only woke up to have a moan in the second half. Yes, the players were underperforming, but the fans in the stadium weren't giving them anything to really be motivated about.
The blame is far from just on the supporters. Something reeks at the moment, with rising ticket prices, third party ticketing companies, rival fans in the home end and the club's refusal to really offer any response at all causing frustration for all.
Match going fans like myself and many others are second priority to Manchester City customers, who will splash out on a seat in the Blue Wall, a meal in the concourse, a fourth kit in the club shop and a room at the new hotel.
It's killing the atmosphere, the team on the pitch, and the proud club that City always have been.
Big players need to help City find another gear
City have good enough players to drag them over the line until the end of the season, but other than Haaland, it could be said that all of them have underperformed this season.
Ruben Dias has been poor since returning from his latest injury, whilst Phil Foden has been poor all season.
Bernardo Silva, Ederson and Kevin de Bruyne have declined, Rodri won't be fit again for at least another two months and Josko Gvardiol is exhausted from having played almost every minute so far this season.
But if those seven can step their games up for the final stretch of the season, you'd imagine City will ease over the finish line and get ready to go again next season.
