Pep compares Brighton to Michelin Restaurant
Brighton will give the newly-crowned Premier League champions Manchester City a guard of honour ahead of thie clash tonight in what their penultimate game of the season.
The Seagulls are hoping to finish the season strongly after earning a place in European competition and are still in with an outside chance of nicking fifth place off Liverpool. Victory over Southampton last weekend means Brighton have won a spot in the Europa League and will finish no lower than sixth yet if they win their final two matches and Liverpool lose on Sunday they will leap above the Reds into fifth.
The possibility of doing so may not be that far-fetched either. After securing yet another Premier League title, Pep Guardiola is expected to rest key personnel ahead of the FA Cup and Champions League finals meaning Roberto De Zerbi’s side could take advantage of a weakened City line-up. However, despite this encounter being a low-stakes affair, City have not lost in 24 matches across all competitions and will likely show why they are so difficult to beat.
Follow all the action as Brighton host Man City in the Premier League:
Brighton 0-1 Man City
31 mins: Disallowed goal! Kaoru Mitoma thinks he’s got the equaliser but his effort has been ruled out! Brighton win a corner that gets swung into the box.
Danny Welbeck wins the initial header and nods it to the back post where Mitoma arrives and pokes it at goal. Stefan Ortega keeps it out but Mitoma falls onto the ball and scoops it over the line with his right arm.
It’s totally accidental as he braced himself to hit the floor but nonetheless the goal doesn’t stand.
Mike Jones24 May 2023 20:33
Brighton 0-1 Man City
28 mins: Phil Foden loves a goal against Brighton. He’s now scored in all five of his starts against the Seagulls. So far, Foden’s been the best player on the pitch.
Mike Jones24 May 2023 20:28
GOAL! Brighton 0-1 Man City (Foden, 25’)⚽️
25 mins: There’s the breakthrough! This time it’s Erling Haaland who is the provider. He collects a long ball and drives into the box drawing out the goalkeeper.
Haaland looks up and spies Phil Foden in space before slipping him the pass. With Steele out of position Foden hits the ball at Jan Paul van Hecke who can’t clear it off the line and City take the lead.
Mike Jones24 May 2023 20:26
Brighton 0-0 Man City
22 mins: Chance! Foden tricks his way forward and slips a pass in behind for Haaland. The striker touches the ball into the box, checks to the left and pokes an effort at goal but Jason Steele gets off his line quickly and closes down the Norwegian!
Mike Jones24 May 2023 20:23
Brighton 0-0 Man City
19 mins: Crossbar! Another free kick for Brighton and this one is closer, about 25-yards out. Pascal Gross isn’t in the frame after his last effort with Danny Welbeck taking his place.
Welbeck goes for goal, lifts the ball over the wall and gets enough dip on the shot that it rattles the crossbar and bounces clear!
Mike Jones24 May 2023 20:20
Brighton 0-0 Man City
15 mins: Julio Enciso is taken out off the ball by Rodri who’s playing as a defender tonight. Brighton win a free kick about 30 yards out from goal.
Pervis Estupinan and Pascal Gross stand over the ball. It’s Gross to take it but his low effort skips straight through to Stefan Ortega in goal.
Mike Jones24 May 2023 20:17
Brighton 0-0 Man City
12 mins: City have controlled most of possession though they haven’t stepped out of second gear yet.
Ortega is given the ball but he isn’t as controlled with it at his feet. Moises Caicedo pressures the goalkeeper and almost nips around him but Ortega’s lunge tips it past the midfielder and eases the danger.
Mike Jones24 May 2023 20:15
Brighton 0-0 Man City
9 mins: Phil Foden, so effective in an attacking sense for Man City, gets back to help out defensively as Brighton stride up the pitch. Danny Welbeck receives the ball in the box and gets a shot away only for Foden to jump in front of the ball and make the block.
Mike Jones24 May 2023 20:12
Brighton 0-0 Man City
6 mins: Chance! Oh my days how has Erling Haaland missed this?
Phil Foden gets the ball on the edge of the box, over on the left side of the pitch. He spins and weaves in between four defenders to get into the area then lifts a perfect cross to back post.
Erling Haaland is open and has a free header but he pumps it over the crossbar and looks so annoyed at the missed opportunity.
Mike Jones24 May 2023 20:07
Brighton 0-0 Man City
3 mins: Jan Paul van Hecke seems keen to impress for Brighton and steps into the middle of the pitch to mark Kevin De Bruyne. When the City playmaker receives the ball Van Hecke leaps into a tackle and brings him down.
Mike Jones24 May 2023 20:04