Brighton 2-1 Manchester City Player Ratings: Erling Haaland rated 7/10 as the hosts make a stunning comeback to earn all the three points

Brighton and Manchester City contested for the much-needed three points at Amex Stadium in the first match of Sunday's (31st August, 2025) blockbuster fixtures. Goals from Haaland, Milner, and Gruda were the focal points of the match.

Read on to check out the Brighton vs Manchester City Player Ratings.

The match began with City creating multiple chances and having more possession of the ball. In the 32nd minute, a rumble in the Brighton box saw Marmoush poke the ball towards Haaland, who converted the chance after missing multiple chances beforehand.

After the first half, City had the lead with a 0-1 score.

As the 2nd half began, the hosts looked promising going forward, and the chance to equalize came eventually in the 67th minute when James Milner converted the penalty kick. 1-1!

In the 88th minute, Gruda, another magical sub, scored the second goal for his team to give them the lead. 2-1! The score stood 2-1 at the end of the full time.

Here are Brighton vs Manchester City Player Ratings.

Brighton Player Ratings

Here is Brighton Player Ratings:

Goalkeeper

Bart Verbruggen- 5/10

Unlike Trafford, Bart Verbruggen had his work cut out as Man City came forward asking all kinds of questions. He had nothing to do with City's first goal as the ball pretty much fell onto Haaland's feet.

Defenders

Joel Veltman- 5/10

While Joel Veltman looked comfortable dealing with Marmoush at the flank, every time Marmoush and Ait-Nouri went forward together at the right flank, he was outplayed by the pair.

Jan Paul van Hecke- 4/10

Jan Paul van Hecke was the most reckless player in the game today. Erling Haaland had a clash with him in the early minutes of the game. Safe to say, the Norwegian went through his mind as he lost his cool since then. He was the first to be booked with a yellow card. That too from an unnecessary challenge.

Lewis Dunk- 5/10

Unlike his defensive peer, Lewis Dunk had kept his composure throughout the game. Shame his hard work at the backline went to waste, given that the hosts were trailing the game since the 32nd minute.

Maxim De Cuyper- 5.5/10

Maxim De Cuyper was perhaps the best defender in the backline of Brighton today. He had dominated the left flank for the majority of the game, keeping Oscar Bobb quiet with his outside runs.

Midfielders

Jack Hinshelwood- 5.5/10

Jack Hinshelwood maintained an 86% passing accuracy throughout the first half. He won half of his aerial duels. Even though he lost possession of the ball on two occasions, his defensive contributions overall were important.

Carlos Baleba- 5/10

Carlos Baleba was one of the key players in the Brighton midfield today. His contributions were crucial to make the midfield battle still a contest after the end of the first half. He won all his aerial duels in the first half.

Yankuba Minteh- 6/10

Yankuba Minteh was everywhere in the midfield today. He had the highest amount of ground duels, though he won less than half of them. However, the midfielder won all his aerial duels in the first half and made a crucial shot block.

Diego Gomez-5/10

Diego Gomez had only 15 touches in the game today in the first half. He has maintained 50% passing accuracy throughout the game and won almost all of his ground duels.

Kaoru Mitoma- 5.5/10

Throughout the minutes in the first half, Kaoru Mitoma maintained a 0.04 xG, even though his trademark runs were arguably seen. He maintained a 70% passing accuracy and was one of the players with the highest touches of the ball in his team.

Forwards

Danny Welbeck- 5/10

Danny Welbeck definitely was one of the hard-working players for Brighton today. Even though he had seen fewer deliveries from his teammates, he dropped deep to kickstart the attacks.

Substitutions

Georginio Rutter- 4/10

Georginio Rutter came onto the game in the 59th minute to replace Welbeck.

Brajan Gruda- 6/10

Brajan Gruda came onto the game in the 59th minute to replace Diego Gomez. He scored the second goal for his team.

Yasin Ayari- 4/10

Yasin Ayari came onto the game in the 59th minute to replace Hinshelwood.

James Milner- 5/10

James Milner came on in the 59th minute to replace Baleba. He scored the equalizer from the penalty.

Diego Coppola- 4/10

Diego Coppola came onto the game in the 94th minute.

Manager

Fabian Hurzeler- 6/10

Fabian Hurzeler's substitutions were the key to Brighton's performance today. However, the manager was certainly not happy with the result as he preferred to protect a lead instead of chasing one.

Manchester City Player Ratings

Here is Manchester City Player Ratings:

Goalkeeper

James Trafford- 5/10

James Trafford definitely was the less-tested goalkeeper between the two, especially in the first half. However, his work was cut out for him with the defensive build-up play duties. But the story was different in the second half.

Defenders

Rayan Ait-Nouri- 5/10

Rayan Ait-Nouri looked promising going forward with the team as they tried to build from the back. His attacking contributions from the left flank were nothing short of impressive. However, it was the defensive duties that he needed to work on.

John Stones- 6/10

John Stones definitely was the key player in the Man City defense today. From building the game from the back to commanding the defense line, he is the leader of the backline of the Sky Blues now.

Abdukodir Khusanov- 6/10

This would be the 2nd time ever that Abdukodir Khusanov paired with Stones in the City midfield. The Uzbek defender played his role brilliantly and kept his guard up throughout the match to keep the dangers at bay.

Matheus Nunes- 5/10

Matheus Nunes looked uncomfortable going forward after he lost his balance two times that allowed Brighton to regain the ball in a dangerous position. He spent the majority of the game fulfilling his defensive duties since then.

Midfielders

Tijjani Reijnders- 5.5/10

Tijjani Reijnders was the most active player for Man City today. From dropping deep to help his team with the build-up to making chances at the front, the Dutchman was one of the most important players in the City squad today.

Rodri- 6/10

Unlike what we have seen from Rodri over the years, the Ballon d'Or winner played a deeper role in the City midfield today. He had very less attacking contributions in the first half on the first half. But the story was exactly opposite in the 2nd half.

Bernardo Silva- 5.5/10

Bernardo Silva's movements still get the opposition off guard. We have become accustomed to it over the years; his quick switch with the ball at his feet creates spaces out of nowhere in the midfield. It was seen in his play today as well.

Forwards

Omar Marmoush- 5.5/10

Omar Marmoush was perhaps the best player in Man City's forward line today. His work rate is off the charts considering his previous performances. He created multiple chances for his team today.

Erling Haaland- 7/10

Definitely not a good day for Erling Haaland as the Norwegian has missed multiple good chances that were created by his teammates. His presence has kept the Brighton defenders on their toes. All his misses were forgiven when he scored the goal in the 32nd minute. It was his 100th goal for City.

Oscar Bobb- 5/10

A decent game for Oscar Bobb today. He was particularly the busiest among the forwards due to his multiple duties on the wing. Even though he performed well at the right flank, it arguably gave Cuyper any trouble.

Substitutions

Jeremy Doku- 4/10

Jeremy Doku came onto the game in the 72nd minute to try and change the course of the game.

Nico O'Reilly- 4/10

Nico O'Reilly came into the game in the 72nd minute along with Jeremy Doku.

Ruben Dias- 4/10

Ruben Dias came into the game in the 85th minute to replace Khusanov.

Rico Lewis- 4/10

Rico Lewis came onto the game in the 85th minute of the game.

Manager

Pep Guardiola- 4.5/10

While Pep Guardiola would be pleased with his team's performance today, as it was on the right track to be better, he was definitely displeased when his team lost the lead.

Sportsdunia player of the match is Erling Haaland.