Manchester City 1 Brighton and Hove Albion 1
Kaoru Mitoma bagged an equaliser helping Brighton and Hove Albion earn a draw at the Etihad against title-chasing Manchester City as the hosts dropped points for a third game running.
Erling Haaland’s penalty put them on course for a return to winning ways after draws against Sunderland and Chelsea but Mitoma’s first goal since September brought more frustration for City.
The result gives Premier League leaders Arsenal the chance to move eight points clear when they host champions Liverpool tomorrow (Thursday 8 January).
Haaland and Rayan Cherki spurned good chances to win the game late on, adding to the disappointing start to 2026 for City, with central defenders Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias also suffering significant injuries.
And with John Stones on the sidelines too, City were forced to field an unfamiliar pair at the back in 21-year-old Abdukodir Khusanov and debutant Max Alleyne.
Alleyne, the 20-year-old son of former England cricketer Mark, was hurriedly recalled from his loan spell at Watford this week.
Perhaps sensing a weakness in City’s backline, Brighton started positively and the recently re-signed Pascal Gross had a header saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma before Ferdi Kadioglu was also denied by the keeper.
City were largely limited to half-chances in a quiet opening with Bernardo Silva firing tamely at Bart Verbruggen and Haaland planting a header wide.
The hosts had a scare when Georginio Rutter broke through on goal but Khusanov raced back to block his shot.
A subdued atmosphere changed dramatically shortly before half-time as Jeremy Doku went down in the box after a rash challenge by Diego Gomez.
City’s bench reacted furiously as referee Thomas Bramall signalled play on, with substitute Rodri at the forefront of complaints.
Manager Pep Guardiola was booked for his reaction and arguing with opposite number Fabian Hürzeler.
Yet their protestations were not in vain as Bramall was called to the pitch-side monitor to review his decision and a spot-kick was eventually awarded.
Haaland made no mistake as he drilled his shot home – and Tijjani Reijnders had an effort cleared off the line soon after.
Silva also went close after the restart as he seized on a wayward pass by Yasin Ayari but his shot hit the outside of the post.
City were to rue those misses as Mitoma, making only his second start since returning from injury, buried a low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box, through the legs of Nico Gonzalez.
Albion almost scored again moments later as Mitoma broke into the box and presented Diego Gomez with a gilt-edged chance in front of goal.
But he misfired and the ball squirmed off Donnarumma, Mitoma and the post to safety.
City threatened again from a corner but Haaland’s header was cleared off the line by Kadioglu and the Norwegian was guilty of a glaring miss soon after.
This time, Cherki pounced on a careless Brighton pass to supply the striker but he shot straight at Verbruggen. The France international then fired over as time ran out for the hosts.
Late on, James Milner, a former Sky Blue, replaced Ayari and became only the fifth 40-year-old outfield player to appear in a Premier League match.
Next for Albion, a return to Manchester as the Seagulls face managerless United at Old Trafford in the third round of the FA Cup. Tonight, they were held at Burnley, with the Clarets still eight points from safety.
After all eight Premier League games were over tonight, Albion were 11th in the table, with 29 points from 21 matches.
