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.
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.
A Blow to City's Title Hopes
The defeat marks the first time City coach Pep Guardiola has lost four in a row in his managerial career and kept his side second in the league standings on 23 points from 11 matches. Brighton climbed to fourth on 19 points.
City, meanwhile, dropped more points in the title race and post-match frustration from Guardiola and Haaland said it all...
Guardiola's Post-Match Frustration
Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp:
"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."
Brighton's Impressive Resilience
Brighton's resilience and the timely contributions of their substitutes proved decisive against a seemingly disjointed Manchester City. The Seagulls' performance is a testament to their tactical flexibility and ability to capitalize on their opponents' weaknesses.
City's Challenges Ahead
Guardiola's side is facing a challenging period. The loss to Brighton highlights a series of vulnerabilities, particularly in defense. The injuries to key players, including Rodri, John Stones, and Ruben Dias, are undoubtedly contributing factors.
Pep Guardiola and Manchester City now have two weeks before their next game against Tottenham at home on 23 November.
They will hope their fitness issues have relented slightly by then, but their fixture list is very tough over the next few weeks.
Here's their next eight games:
Looking Forward
As Manchester City navigate their current predicament, they'll be looking to regain their composure and return to winning ways. However, the challenges ahead remain significant, and their performance against Tottenham will be crucial to gauge their recovery. The title race is heating up, and every game is a battle.
Brighton's Upward Trajectory
Brighton's impressive win over Manchester City further solidifies their status as a formidable force in the Premier League. Their ability to secure points against the league's elite demonstrates their progress under Fabian Hurzeler. As they continue to grow, Brighton's aspirations for a top-four finish are gaining momentum.
A Defining Moment
The Brighton-Manchester City match was a defining moment in the Premier League season. It served as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of the league and the potential for unexpected outcomes. The clash between two sides representing different ends of the spectrum – a reigning champion in a slump and a rising contender – captured the essence of the Premier League's allure.
