Manchester City won six of seven Premier League titles prior to last season, which produced only their second trophyless campaign under Pep Guardiola. The club faced mitigating issues including 115 charges, managerial speculation and Rodri's injury. City spent roughly 330m across summer and January windows and were expected to challenge for the title. Brighton's last-gasp 2-1 win left City with their worst start since 2004-05, a position no 38-game season side has recovered from to win the title. City showed early control against Brighton, with Erling Haaland scoring, but Brighton's substitutions changed the game and produced a late penalty equaliser and winner.
After winning the Premier League in six of the previous seven campaigns, last season was dismissed as a blip as Manchester City suffered just their second trophyless term under Pep Guardiola. There were mitigating circumstances, such as the 115 charges hanging over the club, speculation over Guardiola's future and injury to midfielder Rodri. But, after spending roughly 330m across this summer and January's transfer window, City were expected to return refreshed, revitalised and ready to reclaim the Premier League title.
Guardiola's best teams have been built on control, patterns of play and attacking incision. When City beat Wolves 4-0 on the opening weekend of the season, it was natural to think the troubles that had plagued them last term had been erased over the summer. But Sunday's defeat on the south coast was a repeat of the inconsistency City displayed throughout last season.
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