Man City 'forgot to play' during Brighton defeat, Guardiola concedes

Pep Guardiola conceded Manchester City "forgot to play" as they surrendered a 1-0 lead during their defeat to Brighton.

The Citizens were on the wrong end of an inspired turnaround, as the hosts came from behind to prevail 2-1 at the Amex Stadium.

James Milner's 67th-minute penalty cancelled out Erling Haaland's first-half effort, before Brajan Gruda completed the turnaround in the 89th minute.

That condemned Guardiola's side to their second straight defeat, after losing 2-0 to Tottenham last weekend; it is the first time they have lost two of their first three Premier League matches in a season since 2004-05.

Only one team has ever kicked off their campaign with the same record and recovered to win the title - Manchester United in 1992-93 - but the City boss insisted his players have plenty of time to turn their fortunes around.

"When they scored, the game shifted," he said. "Until the goal, we were very good, we had chances and played a good game.

"Brighton increased [their level] and we started to make long balls instead of trying to play. And that's what happened."

"We were excellent for one hour. After the goal, we forgot to play. We were thinking of the consequences. I like many things the team did here, but we were unable to win. When we conceded the goal, we stopped playing.

"It's one game. The season has just started. There is a long, long season ahead of us. We will see what happens."

On a positive note, Rodri made his first Premier League start since September 2024 in the middle of the park, and the Spain international knows he and his team-mates must improve their performance levels quickly.

"[We're] disappointed because we are Manchester City, and we come here to win," he added. 

"The only way to come back is to look at ourselves. We are missing the level. This is our reality, it is not for excuses, and we have to see this is not the way to achieve things. 

"I do think that we had control of the game, and we were not our best. Some of the mistakes we are making are kids' mistakes. We are not concentrating and paying attention. The reality is that we have to raise the level if we want to compete."

Former City man Milner began Brighton's revival from the penalty spot, with what was his first Premier League goal since December 2019.

The veteran midfielder has opted to wear the number 20 shirt this season in honour of his former Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident in July.

And Milner paid tribute to his ex-colleague by imitating his celebration after bringing the Seagulls level.

"Obviously, Jots meant so much to everyone. It is an honour to wear his number this season," he said. "I have seen him doing [the celebration], and it was probably a bad impression by me.

"It was horrific [what happened to him]. He was a great guy and a great team-mate. I loved him as both. I've not scored [in the Premier League] for six years, and I was wearing his number. Obviously, I've got help from the great man."

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler saluted the influence of Milner, who, at 39 years and 239 days, became the oldest player in Premier League history to score a penalty.

"He spreads belief. That spreads to the others," Hurzeler said. "There was pressure with the penalty, but he has dealt with pressure in his past and has got highlights in his career. He has proved he can help us.

"He proved already in training, that's why he was chosen to take it. He is still a very important personality and player on the pitch for us. He came on and brought energy and organised it, so I am happy for him."

On the turnaround, he added: "Football isn't always about tactics. It's sometimes about the energy and the togetherness you have. We showed in the second half we had this intensity and this energy, and with this, you can win your games.

"I am very happy that my players delivered that on the pitch; they committed to each other, suffered together. Wins always change the mood."