Brighton pulled off a stunning comeback as Brajan Gruda scored a dramatic late winner to hand Manchester City a 2-1 defeat in a thrilling Premier League clash at the Amex Stadium on Sunday.
The Seagulls sealed their first league win of the season thanks to an 89th-minute strike from substitute Gruda, who calmly slotted home after racing clear. Earlier, veteran midfielder James Milner, at 39 years and 239 days old, became the second-oldest scorer in Premier League history when he converted a penalty against his former club.
“Milner emphatically dispatched his maiden goal for the club into the bottom corner,” Brighton celebrated, with the midfielder dedicating the strike to former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota.
Haaland Scores on 100th Premier League Appearance
Erling Haaland gave Manchester City the lead in the first half on his 100th Premier League appearance. The Norwegian star clinically lifted the ball over goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen after a clever buildup, but he failed to convert several earlier chances.
Haaland’s opener looked to have set City on course for victory, but Pep Guardiola’s side were ultimately punished for their missed opportunities. The defeat marks City’s second consecutive league loss, following last weekend’s 2-0 setback at home to Tottenham.
Milner Makes History Before Gruda’s Winner
Brighton’s equalizer came in the 67th minute after referee Darren England awarded a penalty for handball. Milner stepped up confidently, sending James Trafford the wrong way to make it 1-1. His goal placed him behind only Teddy Sheringham (40 years, 268 days) on the list of oldest Premier League scorers.
Brighton, energized by head coach Fabian Hürzeler’s quadruple substitution, pressed hard for a winner. Trafford denied Jan Paul van Hecke with a superb save in the 88th minute, but moments later Gruda latched onto Kaoru Mitoma’s through ball, rounded the goalkeeper, and slotted into an empty net to spark wild celebrations at the Amex.
Guardiola’s Second Straight Defeat
Despite City dominating much of the first half, Brighton’s resilience and late push turned the game on its head. Guardiola, who had restored Rodri to the starting lineup after almost a year out, watched his side suffer back-to-back defeats for the first time this season.
For Brighton, the win was a statement moment. Gruda, fresh from scoring in Albion’s midweek 6-0 Carabao Cup triumph over Oxford, once again proved decisive.
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