Inconsistent City strike again: Brighton draw exposes familiar flaws in Champions League bid

Manchester City had another chance to close the gap on their Champions League rivals today but failed to take it.

Their 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion leaves them in fifth, one point ahead of the Seagulls. Newcastle United have a game in hand and could leapfrog City with a win.

This was the first of City’s final 10 league matches. Pep Guardiola knows what that means. “Nine games, nine finals,” he said. “It looks like it will go down to the last day.”

The opportunity was there. City led twice through Erling Braut Haaland’s penalty and Omar Marmoush’s brilliant finish. They still could not hold on.

Brighton equalised first through Pervis Estupinan’s deflected free-kick, then through an Abdukodir Khusanov own goal. In a chaotic ending, both sides had chances to win, but a point apiece felt right.

City are not the same side that dominated English football in recent years. The precision that once defined them is missing. Passes are sloppier. Defending is uncertain.

Guardiola’s changes raised eyebrows. He benched Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva.

Some selections were forced – Silva and Ederson were injured – but the rotated team never looked in control.

Brighton harried City, forced mistakes, and nearly snatched victory. Joao Pedro and Carlos Baleba both had big chances late on.

Jeremy Doku’s booking for simulation summed up City’s frustrations. Guardiola was furious. “If he doesn’t jump, he can break his leg,” he added. “Jeremy is not a diving player.”

Inconsistency is City’s biggest problem. Their next three league games are against Leicester City, Manchester United and Aston Villa. The margin for error is shrinking.

Brighton keep improving. Manager Fabian Hurzeler was not celebrating a point – he wanted more. “It is about chasing performance, getting to the next level,” he said.

Man City should take note. A place in next season’s Champions League is still in their hands, but performances like this will not get them there.