Maresca urges Man City to bounce back after 'strange' Brighton defeat

Enzo Maresca was left perplexed after his Manchester City side suffered back-to-back Premier League defeats following a 1-0 loss to Brighton on Saturday. 

Yasin Ayari's 11th-minute strike settled the contest at the Etihad Stadium as the Seagulls gained revenge after being knocked out of the EFL Cup by City in midweek. 

The Citizens had chances to seal a point, but they were wasteful in front of goal with Iliman Ndiaye heading wide from close range before substitute Nico O'Reilly diverted a header past the upright in the closing stages of the contest.

This is the first time in 23 games that City have failed to score at home in the Premier League, since a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham in August 2025. Moreover,

Maresca's men registered an expected goals (xG) of 1.92 from 21 shots, their highest total in a single match in the top flight this term, leaving the Italian with mixed emotions.

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Maresca said, "A bit strange. The same feeling as after Aston Villa away.

"We did enough to deserve something more, but we have to move on and try to win games.

"We created a good volume of offensive action. Sometimes you have to be more clinical and score, but it's important that we create.

"We did everything to be honest. Sometimes you struggle to score and the important thing is we created the chances.

"The attitude was good, I have nothing to say about that or the performance. The players fought until the end and, hopefully, next time, we are luckier."

For Brighton, their impressive 2026-27 Premier League campaign continues.

The Seagulls, who are now two points off the summit, made history by beating City away from home in any competition for the very first time, at the 18th attempt (D5 L12).

Fabian Hurzeler's side have now won five of their last six Premier League matches, keeping a clean sheet in all five victories, and lead the 2026-27 clean sheet charts with six.

"Really happy for everyone involved. A long journey, everyone contributed to the win," said Brighton boss Hurzeler.

"Really happy as we did the work in the shadows, and we showed another good performance on the pitch. 

"Togetherness gives us the rewards. On Wednesday we missed luck. Today we had a bit of luck, but you have to deserve the luck and everyone worked hard."

Brighton, who have been scintillating in attack this season, only registered seven shots in this game, their lowest total in a single match in the Premier League this season. However, for Hurzeler, Saturday was all about his side's defensive solidity.

"It was a completely defensive performance where everyone had the mindset 'I need to defend'," added Hurzeler.

"We would have preferred to have more of the ball but in certain moments, you know when you come here you need to suffer and defend well in the box.

"We can talk about individual players, but in the end, everyone had a defensive mindset and stuck together."