Manchester City's blip turned into a crisis as Brighton scored twice in five minutes late on to beat the champions 2-1 - and inflict a fourth straight defeat on City for the first time under Pep Guardiola.

City came into the game on the back of three successive defeats to Bournemouth, Tottenham and Sporting - but their woes looked to be easing as the champions led with 12 minutes to go through Erling Haaland's first-half strike.

But recently-injured duo Joao Pedro and Matt O'Riley - the latter on his delayed Premier League debut after an ankle problem stuttered his summer move from Celtic - stepped off the bench to send the Amex Stadium into raptures - not only costing City points in the title race, but taking Fabian Hurzeler's side into the top four, for a few hours at least.

After dominating the early stages and taking the lead when Haaland burst through and poked past Bart Verbruggen at the second attempt, City stepped off the gas following the 30th minute, which allowed Brighton back into the game.

The Seagulls missed six big chances in the second period - amassing to 1.43 of Expected Goals - as Guardiola's side got lucky while on the ropes. Ederson was forced into a good save from Jack Hinshelwood's header, while he also snuffed a one-on-one chance for Kaoru Mitoma. Georginio Rutter headed over a good chance, while his replacement Pedro dragged wide after being played through over the top.

But Brighton's pressure eventually told as Danny Welbeck trapped a cross from the left, causing a goalmouth scramble. Pedro showed more initiative than the City defenders to slam home from close range.

The Brighton goalscorer then turned provider five minutes later as he laid on the ball for the onrushing O'Riley, who blasted home while one-on-one.

Guardiola could only rock back in his chair as the result moved away from City. The champions had brought on Kevin De Bruyne before Brighton's two goals and the Belgian, clearly not match fit, curled just wide of the post late on.

His fellow substitute Bernardo Silva dragged another effort wide of the far post, while Josko Gvardiol headed wide late on as Brighton held on during nine minutes of stoppage time.

Brighton's Second-Half Dominance

Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp summed up the second half perfectly: "Four bad results, the second half, that is one of the worst halves of football I have seen from a Pep Guardiola side, they were abject, they did not defend, or win individual battles or pass the ball forward at times."

"First half they were excellent, the problem was they should have been 3-0 up, but second half when Hurzeler made the changes, there was only one team in it."

"And once the game started to run away from you, then you are looking at characters, who is going to make that challenge and win that ball when you need it most? Who is going to make this team calm? There was no one to do it."

"They looked like a bunch of strangers and the goals they conceded summed it up, they were really poor goals from Man City's point of view. But full credit to Brighton."

Guardiola's Uncharacteristic Slump

Pep Guardiola, known for his tactical brilliance and meticulous attention to detail, has endured a challenging period. The defeat to Brighton marked the first time in his managerial career that he has lost four consecutive matches. The loss also came after a series of disappointing performances, leading to questions about City's ability to retain their title.

Brighton's Resilience

Brighton, meanwhile, displayed remarkable resilience, refusing to be deterred by City's early lead. The Seagulls showcased a strong team spirit, with substitutes Pedro and O'Riley making a significant impact. The victory against the reigning champions served as a testament to their ability to compete with the league's best.

Looking Ahead

With the international break approaching, Pep Guardiola will have two weeks to reflect on City's recent struggles and prepare for their next game against Tottenham at home on November 23rd. Despite the recent setbacks, City remains a formidable force, but the team's performance against Brighton has undoubtedly raised concerns among the fans.

While Liverpool, the current league leaders, are on a roll, the title race remains fiercely competitive. City's next eight games include a crucial encounter against Liverpool on December 1st, a match that could have significant implications for the title chase.

Man City's Upcoming Schedule:

• Tottenham (H) - November 23rd
• West Ham (A) - November 30th
• Liverpool (H) - December 1st
• Newcastle (A) - December 8th
• Arsenal (H) - December 15th
• Chelsea (A) - December 22nd
• Brentford (H) - December 29th
• Fulham (A) - January 5th

The international break will provide Guardiola an opportunity to assess his squad, address the team's weaknesses, and hopefully return with renewed vigor and determination. The next few weeks will be critical for City's title aspirations, and fans will be hoping for a resurgence from the reigning champions.

The Brighton Factor

Brighton's victory against City has sent shockwaves through the Premier League. The Seagulls have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with, and their performance against City is a clear indication of their ambitions for the season. Brighton's ability to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat is a testament to their resilience and tactical acumen.

The Future is Bright

With their impressive win against City, Brighton has proven their ability to challenge the established order. The Seagulls are a team on the rise, and their performance against City is a sign of things to come. The future looks bright for Brighton, and they will be aiming to continue their impressive form in the coming weeks and months.