MANCHESTER, UK – MARCH 16, 2025
Manchester City delivered a commanding performance against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Etihad Stadium on March 16, 2025, securing a 3-1 victory in an electrifying Premier League encounter. Goals from Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Phil Foden ensured City maintained their title push, while Brighton’s lone goal from Evan Ferguson was not enough to spark a comeback.
FEATURED PHOTOS SUGGESTIONS:
- Erling Haaland celebrating his goal with teammates at the Etihad.
- Kevin De Bruyne striking the ball from outside the penalty area.
- Brighton’s Evan Ferguson battling for possession against City’s defenders.
- Manchester City fans celebrating a goal in the stands.
- A shot of Pep Guardiola and Roberto De Zerbi giving tactical instructions on the sidelines.
MATCH OVERVIEW
- Date: March 16, 2025
- Kickoff Time: 5:30 PM (BST)
- Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
- Attendance: 52,114
- Referee: Michael Oliver
FIRST HALF: CITY TAKES EARLY CONTROL
Manchester City wasted no time asserting dominance, with Kevin De Bruyne pulling the strings in midfield. In the 12th minute, the Belgian playmaker fired a thunderous strike from outside the box, giving City a 1-0 lead.
Brighton, known for their high-pressing approach under Roberto De Zerbi, tried to disrupt City’s rhythm but struggled to contain the fluid passing of Guardiola’s men. The Seagulls had their best chance in the 24th minute when Kaoru Mitoma found space on the left flank, delivering a dangerous cross that narrowly missed the reach of Evan Ferguson.
City doubled their lead in the 38th minute through Erling Haaland, who capitalized on a defensive error from Lewis Dunk. The Norwegian striker muscled his way past Dunk and slotted the ball past Bart Verbruggen, marking his 22nd Premier League goal of the season.
Half-Time Score: Manchester City 2-0 Brighton
SECOND HALF: BRIGHTON RESPONDS, BUT CITY SEALS THE WIN
Brighton started the second half with renewed energy, pushing forward in search of a goal. Their efforts paid off in the 54th minute, when Evan Ferguson met a perfectly timed pass from Pascal Groß and curled the ball into the bottom corner, reducing the deficit to 2-1.
City responded with relentless pressure, and in the 72nd minute, Phil Foden restored their two-goal advantage. A well-worked team move saw Foden receive a layoff from Bernardo Silva before rifling a shot past the Brighton goalkeeper to make it 3-1.
Despite Brighton’s efforts, Manchester City’s defense, led by Rúben Dias and John Stones, held firm. A late chance for Abdukodir Khusanov, Brighton’s young Uzbek defender, was saved comfortably by Ederson.
Full-Time Score: Manchester City 3-1 Brighton
MATCH STATS
| Statistic | Manchester City | Brighton & Hove Albion |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 67% | 33% |
| Shots (on target) | 18 (9) | 7 (3) |
| Pass Accuracy | 91% | 85% |
| Corners | 7 | 4 |
| Fouls | 10 | 12 |
PLAYER RATINGS
Manchester City:
⭐ Kevin De Bruyne (9.0) – A masterful performance with a stunning goal and two assists.
⭐ Erling Haaland (8.5) – Clinical finish and strong physical presence up front.
⭐ Phil Foden (8.0) – Excellent positioning and well-taken goal.
Brighton & Hove Albion:
⭐ Evan Ferguson (7.5) – Scored a well-placed goal, Brighton’s standout performer.
⭐ Pascal Groß (7.0) – Assisted Ferguson’s goal and was Brighton’s creative spark.
⭐ Kaoru Mitoma (6.8) – Threatening runs but lacked end product.
POST-MATCH REACTIONS
Pep Guardiola (Manchester City Manager):
“We controlled the game well and took our chances when they came. Brighton are a tough team, but our midfield and attack worked brilliantly today. We keep pushing forward.”
Roberto De Zerbi (Brighton Manager):
“We showed resilience in the second half, but we cannot give away easy goals against a team like Manchester City. We will analyze and come back stronger.”
Erling Haaland (Manchester City Striker):
“Always great to score, but more importantly, we got the three points. We’re focused on the title race.”
