City were forced to settle for a share of the Premier League spoils for a third successive game as we drew 1-1 with Brighton at the Etihad.
On a night which saw young central defender Max Alleyne produce an accomplished senior debut, a much-changed City team had taken a 40th minute lead through Erling Haaland.
The Norwegian striker converted a 40th minute penalty to register what was the 150th goal of his City career.
But though we had chances to extend that advantage the visitors hit back on the hour, drawing level thanks to Kaoru Mitoma’s low drive.
Pep Guardiola’s men strained every sinew in an effort to find a late winner and Haaland was denied by a stupendous 80th minute save from Bart Verbruggen with the sides each claiming a point.
The game in 250 words
With injuries biting deep, it meant it was a new-look City defence with Alleyne handed his senior debut and Abdukodir Khusanov and Nathan Ake also starting.
FIRST FOOTING: Debutant Max Alleyne gets an early touch of the ball.
However, it was the visitors who carved out the game’s first real meaningful opportunities with Gianluigi Donnarumma twice performing wonders inside the first 10 minutes to prevent Brighton taking a lead.
First the Italian keeper got down low to prevent a second minute Pascal Gross header from crossing the line after the German had met Diego Gomez’s inviting cross.
Donnarumma then stood tall again on nine minutes to keep out a Ferdi Kadioglu shot after the Turkish winger had beaten the City offside trap.
City though gradually found our rhythm with Alleyne almost marking his big moment in style only to see his 10th minute header from an in-swinging Foden corner flash wide.
On 21 minutes Jeremy Doku then almost took advantage of a rash Brighton pass inside their box only for his goalbound shot to be deflected wide by Seagulls keeper Bart Verbruggen.
It was a niggly affair at times with Brighton not afraid to show a physical approach but City’s patience and persistence finally reaped rewards on 40 minutes when we took the lead thanks to an Haaland penalty.
SPOT ON: Erling Haaland opens the scoring from the penalty spot.
The penalty was awarded after Gomez had brought Doku down in the box, referee Thomas Bramhall eventually pointing to the spot after a lengthy VAR review.
And the Norwegian made no mistake from the spot to register what was the 150th goal of his illustrious City career.
It almost got better for City in first half added time, Jack Hinshelwood clearing off the line from Tijjani Reijnders after more great work from Doku.
City then had a gilt-edged opportunity to double our lead straight after restart,
Yasan Arayi’s misplaced pass in his box went straight to Bernardo Silva but the Blues’ skipper close range clipped the outside of the right hand post.
However, Brighton regrouped and suddenly forced their way back into the game by levelling on 60 minutes through Kaoru Mitoma.
ALL SMILES: Haaland starts the celebrations after notching up his 150th City goal.
The Japanese creator opened up a fraction of space on the edge of the City box before drilling home a low shot that evaded Donnarumma.
The Blues responded by bringing on Rodri as we sought to regain the advantage.
But we breathed a huge sigh of relief on 69 minutes when Gomez spurned a golden opportunity from just three yards out after dangerman Mitoma had broken free on the left wing.
There was then drama at the other end as Haaland saw his 75th minute goalbound header cleared off the line.
And the striker was then somehow denied by a superb Verbruggen save 10 minutes from time after Ayari had gifted the ball to substitute Rayan Cherki.
City pressed until the final whistle but it wasn’t to be as we claimed a third successive Premier League draw.
Teams
CITY XI: Donnarumma, Nunes (Lewis 73), Khusanov, Alleyne, Ake (O’Reilly 73), Nico (Rodri 64), Bernardo (C), Reijnders, Foden (Cherki 73), Doku, Haaland
Subs: Trafford, McAidoo, Mukasa, Mfuni, R. Heskey
BRIGHTON XI: Verbruggen, De Cuyper, Dunk (C), van Hecke, Kadioglu, Gomez (Gruda 77), Ayari (Milner 83), Hinshelwood, Gross, Mitoma (Watson 83), Georginio (Welbeck 77)
Subs: Steele, Boscagli, Coppola, Tasker, Howell.
Att: 51, 728
WINGING IN: Jeremy Doku gets stuck in.
Star player
Abdukodir Khusanov produced an accomplished display at the heart of the City defence.
The Uzbek married pace, power and panache to excellent effect against a dangerous Seagulls attack.
FIRST FOOTING
It’s a night that Max Alleyne will never forget and the youngster will be able to reflect with huge pride on what was a fine debut display.
Comfortable in possession and blessed with a fine turn of pace, Alleyne illustrated just why he was so highly thought of throughout his journey across City’s Academy.
And with both Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol both facing time on the sidelines through injury, it could be the first of several opportunities for Max.
On tonight’s encouraging evidence he won’t let anyone down.
THE BOSS: Pep Guardiola watches over proceedings.
Pep’s verdict
To follow
MIDDLE MARCH: Tijjani Reijnders seeks to get City on the front foot.
Player verdict
To follow
What it means
The result leaves us in second place in the table with City now five points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal.
From 21 games to date we have amassed 43 points.
LEADING MAN: Skipper Bernardo Silva pushes on for City.
What’s next
City are back at the Etihad on Saturday afternoon when attention turns to the FA Cup.
We play host to Exeter City in a third-round clash that gets underway at 15.00 (UK).
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