Man City vs Brighton: Ayari seals 1-0 win as City suffer another setback

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Yasin Ayari scored the only goal as Brighton beat Manchester City 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium, condemning Enzo Maresca’s side to a second successive Premier League defeat.

The midfielder struck after 11 minutes, with Brighton surviving City’s second-half pressure to move within two points of their opponents.

Man City vs Brighton: Ayari gives visitors an early lead

Ayari’s early finish gave Fabian Hürzeler’s side an advantage they protected for the remainder of the afternoon. City, beaten at Aston Villa last weekend, were unable to find a response despite bringing on Rayan Cherki, Nico O’Reilly and Phil Foden.

The hosts came closest when Bart Verbruggen pushed Iliman Ndiaye’s effort against the crossbar early in the second half. Matheus Nunes also tested the Brighton goalkeeper, while Enzo Fernández shot wide as City searched for a way through.

Brighton had an opportunity to make the game more comfortable shortly after the interval. Ayari found Maxim De Cuyper in space, but the Belgian sent his first-time effort over the bar.

That miss kept City within reach, and Maresca turned to his bench. Cherki replaced Ayyoub Bouaddi before O’Reilly entered the contest, with Foden and Allan introduced later.

Cherki found the side-netting from a tight angle after O’Reilly’s delivery reached him at the far post. O’Reilly then headed narrowly wide after Verbruggen saved from Abdukodir Khusanov as the match entered its final stages.

Brighton remained dangerous on the break. Substitute Jack Hinshelwood lifted a late chance over Gianluigi Donnarumma but wide of the target, leaving the visitors to defend their single-goal advantage through stoppage time.

Brighton end their wait for an away league win at City

The victory ended a long wait for Brighton. As detailed in City’s official match coverage, Albion had failed to win any of their previous 16 away league meetings with City.

It also extended Brighton’s unbeaten Premier League run against these opponents to five matches. City had won 12 of the first 14 Premier League meetings between the clubs, but have now gone five without a victory.

For City, the result ended a sequence of 24 consecutive league games in which they had scored. Their attacking options were restored after the midweek cup tie, but Brighton’s defending and Verbruggen’s saves kept them out.

City’s changes cannot repeat cup success

The clubs were meeting for the second time in four calendar days, following Wednesday’s 2-2 Carabao Cup draw and City’s penalty shoot-out victory.

Maresca made 10 changes from that starting side, with Bouaddi the only player retained. Haaland, Donnarumma, Rúben Dias and Joško Gvardiol returned, while Nunes was available again.

Our confirmed Man City vs Brighton line-ups covered those selections before kick-off. Brighton restored Verbruggen, Dunk and Ayari’s fellow starters for a league performance that brought a different outcome from Wednesday.

What the result means

City remain on 21 points after nine matches. Brighton move to 19, strengthening their position near the top of the table and responding to last weekend’s defeat at Liverpool.

Arsenal, also on 21 points, can move above City by avoiding defeat at Liverpool on Sunday. The latest positions are available in our Premier League table.

Man City vs Brighton match facts

Detail	Information
Result	Manchester City 0-1 Brighton
Half-time	Manchester City 0-1 Brighton
Scorer	Yasin Ayari 11
Venue	Etihad Stadium
Date	Saturday 31 October 2026

Man City vs Brighton: key questions

Who scored the winner?

Yasin Ayari scored in the 11th minute to give Brighton a 1-0 victory.

Was this Brighton’s first away league win at Manchester City?

Yes. Brighton had previously drawn four and lost 12 of their away league matches against City.

How many league games have City lost in a row?

City have lost their last two Premier League matches, against Aston Villa and Brighton.

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