Three things we learned – Brighton and Hove Albion 2-1 Manchester City

Manchester Metropolis slumped to a disappointing defeat by the hands of Brighton and Hove Albion on the American Specific Stadium.

Metropolis had been 1-0 up and cruising due to Erling Haaland’s first half objective, however a James Milner penalty and late objective from Brajan Gruda was sufficient to earn the Seagulls three factors.

The primary 60 minutes from Metropolis had been exceptionally constructive, however they had been by far the second finest workforce for the ultimate third of the match, with Matheus Nunes’s ridiculous handball resulting in the penalty being the match’s turning level.

Listed below are three issues we discovered from defeat on the south coast:

Construct up is a fear going forwards

I don’t need appear to harsh on James Trafford – I feel he’s a superb younger goalkeeper who, regardless of the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma, might be Metropolis’s first alternative goalkeeper sooner or later.

However at this second in time, Metropolis aren’t in a superb place to have a goalkeeper of his or Donnarumma’s profile.

Each of them are distinctive shot stoppers – higher than Stefan Ortega and definitely Ederson. However each of them are common at plying out from the again, an enormous characteristic of what Pep Guardiola has beforehand demanded of his goalkeepers.

Which means we’ll see much more of what was evident in opposition to Brighton; lengthy balls launched up the pitch within the hope that Haaland wins the primary ball and a midfielder wins the second.

However none of Metropolis’s midfielders are the ball successful sort. Bernardo Silva, Tijjani Reijnders, Phil Foden, Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan are all extra comfy enjoying possession based mostly soccer, fairly than scrapping for second balls and successful duels in midfield.

A few of Metropolis’s attackers, nevertheless, notably Haaland and Omar Marmoush, would possibly swimsuit a extra transitional sort of play, however the weak defence (notably within the full again areas) will battle beneath elevated stress.

Ederson had a poor 12 months final season and might need run his race, however I additionally really feel like Metropolis will endure greater than most individuals suspect they may in his absence.

Wing choices are very poor

It’s been a psychological window for Metropolis when it comes to outgoings and ingoings, however I’m not solely satisfied they’ve nailed it.

The primary level here’s a lack of high quality on each wings. Each participant is a prospect, a gifted participant who we’re ready to blow up.

Oscar Bobb for me is by far the perfect of them. He was excellent in opposition to Wolves, okay in opposition to Tottenham, good within the first half in opposition to Brighton however very poor within the second interval. I do assume although, that after virtually a 12 months out with harm, he’ll enhance to be extra constant and be ok to be a dependable squad participant in a title successful workforce no less than.

Savinho and Jeremy Doku, nevertheless, as I’ve documented earlier than, aren’t ok to begin in a title successful workforce for Metropolis, for my part.

Each are too unreliable with their finish product and don’t provide sufficient targets and assists. To be honest, neither did Jack Grealish or Bernardo Silva when Metropolis gained the treble, however they contributed massively in different methods.

Omar Marmoush is exhibiting extra promise. He excels in sure circumstances, with a flying left again overlapping him. He was the perfect participant on the pitch within the first half, earlier than being changed by Doku within the second interval.

I perceive that Metropolis gained’t have needed to promote Savinho and run the chance of him being the following Cole Palmer. However with the substitute being a transparent improve in Rodrygo, I feel Metropolis will dwell to remorse it.

Khusanov is a vital asset

He was certainly not faultless in opposition to the Seagulls, however Abdukodir Khusanov must be a beginning centre again going forwards for Metropolis.

The Uzbekistan worldwide joined in January, and had a particularly underrated first six months in a Metropolis shirt.

He’s already proven his value together with his blistering tempo, which bailed Metropolis out a number of occasions in opposition to Brighton. His enchancment in aerial duels, ball enjoying and ball carrying can also be notable.

Metropolis’s quantity 45 was not directly at fault for the primary objective nevertheless. His rash, crunching sort out led to the free kick within the construct as much as the penalty, and whereas a lot of the blame should go to Matheus Nunes for a ridiculous handball, Khusanov’s misjudgement began the transfer.

Nonetheless, I feel in the intervening time he deserves to begin for Metropolis, and his tempo is a very beneficial asset with the brand new aggressive excessive line Metropolis are working with.

Hopefully the calf harm that pressured him off late on and has seen him drop out of worldwide obligation doesn’t imply he’ll be dominated out for the derby, as a result of I feel he’ll be wanted.