James Trafford gives Pep Guardiola food for thought - Man City's winners and losers vs Brighton
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Credit: Manh Tung, Imago
Ciaran Morrison
Sun 31 August 2025 16:57, UK
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola may have a couple of selection dilemmas following their 2-1 defeat at Brighton.
Erling Haaland opened the scoring and Man City looked comfortable in the match and cruising towards three points.
Man City failed to get the second goal and paid the price when Matheus Nunes’ handball gave Brighton a penalty, which James Milner successfully converted.
An 89th minute winner for Brighton, courtesy of Brajan Gruda, punished City further and made it back-to-back defeats following their failure to beat Spurs a week earlier.
Here are the three winners and losers from the Brighton defeat.
Erling Haaland’s goal wasn’t enough (Credit Imago)
James Trafford
James Trafford was criticised against Spurs, and his playing out from the back led to the second goal.
However, against Brighton, Trafford proved his worth especially with a superb last save to deny Jan Paul van Hecke.
Could do nothing about Milner’s precise penalty and was left with little chance of denying Gruda’s winner.
Omar Marmoush
Omar Marmoush shone against Brighton, with a bright attacking display which the Egyptian was at the heart of when Man City were on top.
Made the most successful dribbles in the match and created two big chances, but is says a lot about Man City’s performance that his total of eight touches in the Brighton box was the most of any of his team mates.
Erling Haaland
Three goals in three games, Haaland has started the season well and could have had more against Brighton.
When given the service, Haaland continues to prove that he is one of the most ruthless finishers in the Premier League.
Abdukodir Khusanov has struggled (Credit Imago)
Abdukodir Khusanov
With Man City toying with Brighton at times, Abdukodir Khuasnov and his defence was comfortable.
However, when Brighton made four substitutions on the hour mark and began threatening Trafford’s goal, Khuasnov in particular looked uncomfortable.