Kaoru Mitoma delivered a masterful performance to help Brighton & Hove Albion secure a 1-1 draw against Manchester City on Wednesday, with the Japanese winger both scoring and creating numerous chances. The result extends City’s winless run to three Premier League matches and leaves them five points behind Arsenal.
City opened the scoring four minutes before halftime when Erling Haaland converted a penalty awarded after Diego Gomez fouled Jeremy Doku in the box. VAR confirmed the decision, and Haaland made no mistake from the spot. The goal was his 150th for Manchester City, ended a three-match scoring drought, and took him to 20 Premier League goals for the season.
The second half saw City push for a second goal, with Bernardo Silva coming close when he capitalized on a Brighton error. However, his shot rebounded off the post. The match became increasingly contentious when a confrontation erupted between City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Brighton’s Maxim De Cuyper, with both players receiving yellow cards.
Mitoma produced a moment of brilliance to equalize in the 60th minute. The Japanese international received a pass from the flank, positioned himself expertly at the edge of the penalty area, and guided a precise low shot into the far corner, leaving Donnarumma with no chance.
Brighton took command after scoring, with Mitoma continuing to terrorize the City defense. He created an excellent opportunity for Gomez inside the penalty area, but the midfielder’s shot was saved by Donnarumma. Mitoma’s attempt to convert the rebound from near the byline struck the post. In the final moments, Haaland had a clear chance to win the match when he broke through Brighton’s defense, but Verbruggen produced an outstanding save to deny him and secure a point for the visitors.