Ayari goal sinks City as Brighton win 1-0 at Etihad

Manchester City lost 1-0 to Brighton at the Etihad, their second Premier League defeat in a row. Brighton took the lead in the 11th minute after a defensive mistake.

A low cross from Matheus Nunes went unclaimed. The ball struck Brighton's Max de Cuyper and bounced into the path of Ayari, who tapped in from six yards.

City dominated for long periods but struggled to test Brighton goalkeeper Verbruggen. Iliman Ndiaye headed narrowly wide, and the referee, Craig Pawson, rejected at least three handball appeals in the first half.

Brighton missed a chance to double their lead just after the restart, when De Cuyper blazed over from close range. Nunes later had a low shot saved, and Nico O'Reilly's header went wide of an empty net in the 90th minute.

City have 21 points from nine league games and remain top, but they could drop to second if Arsenal fail to win at Liverpool on Sunday. Brighton moved within two points of the top two.

City return to Champions League action against Red Bull Leipzig on Wednesday, 4 November, with kick-off at 20:00 UK. They then travel to Nottingham Forest next Saturday.