Manchester City stumbled again in the battle to secure a return to the Champions League as they were pegged back twice by fellow top-five challengers Brighton in an entertaining encounter at Etihad Stadium.
Erling Haaland became the first player to reach 100 Premier League goal involvements in fewer than 100 games when he marked his 94th appearance in the competition with his 84th goal by sending Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen the wrong way with his 11th-minute penalty.
In a game of superb goals, Pervis Estupinan levelled with a curling free-kick that bounced in off a post, although City keeper Stefan Ortega, in for injured first-choice Ederson, did not cover himself in glory as he initially moved to his right before changing direction and eventually watching the ball go in with a shocked look on his first.
Omar Marmoush levelled with a superb 20-yard strike into the bottom corner, only for City’s brittle defence to let them down again three minutes after the restart as Abdukodir Khusanov diverted Jack Hinshelwood’s effort into his own net.
In a frenzied finish, City manager Pep Guardiola grew increasingly irritated at referee Simon Hooper following challenges on Josko Gvardiol and Bernardo Silva, who had to be replaced 18 minutes after coming on as a substitute.
Guardiola was most annoyed at winger Jeremy Doku getting booked for diving as he jumped up and landed on the ground as he sought to avoid a challenge from Jan Paul van Hecke.
“If he doesn’t jump, he can break his leg,” said the City boss.
“He goes onto the grass to make a tackle and Jeremy jumps so there is no contact.
“Jeremy is not a diving player. They should know it. But it is what it is. We didn’t win or lose for that decision.”
Nico Gonzalez hit a post as the hosts pressed but it was Brighton, who have never won an away game against City and were claiming their first point in the fixture since 1982, who should have claimed victory, only for Carlos Baleba to balloon a shot over the bar when he had arrived with a perfectly timed run to meet Joao Pedro’s cross unmarked in a central position 12 yards out.