Arsenal Extend Advantage as City Falter Against Brighton

Arsenal extended their advantage at the top of the Premier League table to five points on Wednesday as Manchester City could only manage a 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion. The result represents City’s third consecutive league match without a victory.
Erling Haaland gave City the lead from the penalty spot four minutes before halftime after Diego Gomez fouled Jeremy Doku in the Brighton box. VAR reviewed and upheld the referee’s decision, allowing Haaland to convert and score his 150th goal for Manchester City. The strike also ended his three-match goal drought and took him to 20 Premier League goals for the season.
City appeared poised to secure a much-needed victory when Bernardo Silva intercepted a Brighton error early in the second half, but his shot rebounded off the post. Tensions escalated when City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma and Brighton’s Maxim De Cuyper became involved in a confrontation, with both goalkeepers shown yellow cards.
Brighton equalized in the 60th minute through a well-taken goal from Kaoru Mitoma. The Japanese winger received a pass from the flank, positioned himself at the edge of the penalty area, and guided a low shot into the far corner with precision.
After leveling the score, Brighton took command of the match, controlling possession and building attacks patiently. They came desperately close to taking the lead when Mitoma’s excellent play created a chance for Gomez inside the penalty area, but the midfielder’s shot was saved by Donnarumma. Mitoma’s follow-up attempt from near the goal line struck the post. City had one final opportunity to claim all three points when Haaland broke clear in injury time, but Verbruggen’s outstanding save denied the Norwegian and secured a point for Brighton.