Same issues for Pep

Manchester City's defeat at Brighton followed a 2-0 home loss to Tottenham the previous weekend, demonstrating the same vulnerabilities and brittleness the deposed champion showed last season, when it surrendered the crown to Liverpool after four consecutive titles.

Brajan Gruda surged through an open defense, rounded goalkeeper James Trafford and slotted into an empty net for the Seagulls'89th-minute winner, after trailing to Erling Haaland's first-half strike — his 88th goal in 100 Premier League appearances since moving to England in 2022.

City, which gave a first start to Ballon d'Or winner Rodri since September last year following a serious knee injury, conceded an equalizer in the 67th minute after Matheus Nunes raised his arm in the area to block a shot on goal.

James Milner converted the penalty for Brighton to become — at age 39 years and 239 days — the second-oldest scorer in Premier League history. He is also the second youngest, having netted as a 16-year-old for Leeds.

With City noticeably fading, Brighton created a succession of chances before Gruda converted to seal a repeat of his team's come-from-behind 2-1 win over City last season.

"We forgot how to play," Guardiola said.

City's only points so far this season have come from a 4-0 opening-round win at Wolverhampton, after which pundits declared Guardiola's team was back. Now, it has fewer points than Manchester United.