"Pep Guardiola believes team spirit will help Manchester City get through a difficult period but more than camaraderie alone will be required on this evidence. City endured a third consecutive draw against Brighton to leave the leaders, Arsenal, who have a game in hand, five points ahead and currently without a title challenger. City were left with 14 fit senior outfield players for the match and those on the pitch looked fatigued."
"An Erling Haaland penalty gave a platform they were unable to build on as City let Brighton come back into the match and deservedly depart with a point thanks to Kaoru Mitoma. After injuries to Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, Guardiola gave Max Alleyne a debut at centre-back, having recalled the 20-year-old from a loan spell at Watford. If the youngster was looking for reassurance from his highly experienced goalkeeper, it was not forthcoming,"
"With Brighton happy to sit deep when City were in possession, the hosts struggled to find rhythm. There was often a line of eight yellow shirts on the edge of the box, forcing City to work hard to assess the few gaps. Set pieces looked a promising route with Alleyne miscuing a header at the front post and Bernardo Silva firing straight at Bart Verbruggen from corners."
Manchester City drew 1-1 with Brighton, marking a third successive draw and leaving Arsenal five points clear with a game in hand. Injuries to Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol forced a defensive reshuffle and a recall of 20-year-old Max Alleyne, whose debut was nervy amid limited senior options. Erling Haaland scored from a penalty but City failed to build on the lead as Kaoru Mitoma equalised. Brighton sat deep and congested the penalty area, disrupting City’s rhythm; set pieces produced chances but overall attacking influence was limited and several players looked fatigued.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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