Ayari’s Early Strike And Verbruggen Heroics Power Brighton To 1–0 Upset Of Manchester City

Brighton & Hove Albion pulled off a sensational Premier League upset by defeating Manchester City 1-0 in a dramatic clash at the Etihad Stadium. Midfielder Yasin Ayari scored the lone goal in the 11th minute, turning in Maxim De Cuyper's whipped delivery following a clever set-piece routine. Manchester City dominated possession and created several clear-cut opportunities across both halves, but Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen delivered a world-class performance between the posts. Verbruggen made crucial late saves to deny Erling Haaland, Jérémy Doku, and Bernardo Silva, preserving a famous clean sheet for the visitors. The surprising defeat marked a second consecutive league slip-up for City, while Fabian Hürzeler’s Seagulls moved within just two points of the top of the table.

Brighton's head coach Fabian Huerzeler celebrates after the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion in Manchester, England, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. | Photo: AP/Jon Super

Brighton players celebrate after the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion in Manchester, England, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. | Photo: AP/Jon Super

Brighton's Georginio Rutter sends a cross by Manchester City's Matheus Nunes during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion in Manchester, England, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. | Photo: AP/Jon Super

Manchester City's Matheus Nunes, left, and Phil Foden guard Brighton's Georginio Rutter during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion in Manchester, England, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. | Photo: AP/Jon Super

Manchester City's Erling Haaland shoots in front pf Brighton's Luka Vuskovic during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion in Manchester, England, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. | Photo: AP/Jon Super

Manchester City's Jeremy Doku in action during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion in Manchester, England, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. | Photo: AP/Jon Super

Brighton's goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen punches the ball over Manchester City's Enzo Fernandez during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion in Manchester, England, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. | Photo: AP/Jon Super

Manchester City's Jeremy Doku, left, and Brighton's Diego Gomez fight for the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion in Manchester, England, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. | Photo: AP/Jon Super

Brighton's Luka Vuskovic tackles Manchester City's Erling Haaland during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion in Manchester, England, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. | Photo: AP/Jon Super

Brighton's goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen saves in front of Manchester City's Matheus Nunes during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion in Manchester, England, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. | Photo: AP/Jon Super