Brajan Gruda rolled home a dramatic late winner as Brighton & Hove Albion roared back to stun reigning champions Manchester City with a thrilling 2-1 victory at the Amex Stadium on Sunday afternoon. In a match that began with City’s trademark control and ended in chaos for Pep Guardiola’s side, it was Brighton’s resilience, tactical bravery, and the inspired substitutions of head coach Fabian Hürzeler that turned the tide. The Seagulls, winless in the league until this point, delivered a performance that will be remembered not just for its result but for the emotional weight it carried—a symbolic triumph of grit over grandeur, of experience and youth combining to defy the odds.
The decisive moment arrived in the 89th minute, when Gruda, the 20-year-old German midfielder who had already impressed in Albion’s midweek Carabao Cup demolition of Oxford United, latched onto a perfectly weighted through-ball from Kaoru Mitoma. With Manchester City’s high defensive line caught out and goalkeeper James Trafford rushing forward in desperation, Gruda showed composure beyond his years. He rounded Trafford with a deft touch and slotted the ball into the empty net, sparking scenes of jubilation in the stands and on the touchline. It was a goal that encapsulated Brighton’s transformation over the course of the match—from a side struggling to string passes together in the first half to one that dominated the final stages with verve and belief.
Gruda’s winner was the culmination of a second-half resurgence ignited by another substitute: James Milner. The veteran midfielder, now 39 years and 239 days old, became the second-oldest goalscorer in Premier League history when he converted a penalty in the 67th minute. The spot-kick was awarded after Matheus Nunes handled a powerful volley from Lewis Dunk, who had met Yasin Ayari’s free-kick with venom. Milner, who had not scored in the league since Boxing Day 2019 for Liverpool, stepped up with the calm assurance of a man who has seen it all. His low strike into the bottom left corner was unerring, and his celebration—a nod to Diogo Jota, whose No. 20 shirt he now wears—was a poignant reminder of the enduring connections that span clubs and careers.
Before Brighton’s late heroics, the match had seemed destined to follow a familiar script. Manchester City, wounded from their 2-0 defeat to Tottenham the previous weekend, began with intent and control. Guardiola made four changes to his starting XI, including the return of Rodri for his first league start in nearly a year. The Spaniard’s presence in midfield restored some of City’s rhythm, and they dominated possession in the opening exchanges. Erling Haaland, making his 100th Premier League appearance, was at the center of their attacking efforts. The Norwegian striker had three clear chances within the first 20 minutes—first firing tamely at Bart Verbruggen, then dragging a shot wide, and finally seeing a close-range header palmed away by the Brighton keeper. It was a frustrating sequence for Haaland, who looked sharp but lacked his usual clinical edge.
Brighton, meanwhile, struggled to impose themselves in the first half. Mitoma offered glimpses of danger on the left flank, forcing Trafford into a save with a low drive, but the Seagulls were largely pinned back. Their midfield trio of Ayari, Pascal Groß, and Billy Gilmour found it difficult to escape City’s press, and the defensive line—anchored by Dunk and Jan Paul van Hecke—was repeatedly stretched by the movement of Oscar Bobb and Omar Marmoush. The breakthrough came in the 34th minute, when City capitalized on a turnover in midfield. Minteh was dispossessed by Rayan Aït-Nouri, and Bobb surged forward before releasing Marmoush. The Egyptian forward muscled past Van Hecke and slipped a clever ball through Dunk’s legs, allowing Haaland to lift the ball over Verbruggen with a delicate finish. It was a goal that showcased City’s fluidity and Brighton’s vulnerability.
At that point, few would have predicted the turnaround that followed. City continued to probe after the break, with Marmoush and Bobb linking well on the left. One particularly dangerous moment came just after the hour mark, when Marmoush whipped in a low cross that Bobb nearly diverted into the net. But Brighton held firm, and Hürzeler made a bold move—introducing four substitutes at once, including Milner and Gruda. The change was not just tactical; it was psychological. Milner’s presence brought leadership and calm, while Gruda added dynamism and verticality. The shift in momentum was immediate. Minteh tested Trafford with a curling effort, and Brighton began to win second balls and push City deeper.
The equalizer came from a set-piece, a phase of play where Brighton have often found joy. Ayari’s delivery was met by Dunk, whose volley ricocheted off Nunes’ raised arm. Referee Darren England had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, and Milner did the rest. The goal lifted the Amex, and Brighton’s belief surged. City, by contrast, looked rattled. Their midfield lost its grip, and the defensive line—usually so assured—began to show cracks. Guardiola’s attempts to regain control with late substitutions failed to stem the tide. Brighton were relentless, and Trafford was called into action again in the 88th minute, producing a stunning save to deny Van Hecke’s deflected shot. But the reprieve was short-lived.
Gruda’s winner was a moment of pure counter-attacking brilliance. Mitoma, who had grown in influence as the match wore on, spotted the gap and threaded a pass that split City’s defense. Gruda timed his run to perfection, and with Trafford stranded, he finished with ice-cold precision. The goal was greeted with an explosion of noise, and the Brighton bench emptied as players and staff celebrated a victory that felt like more than just three points. It was a statement—a declaration that Albion, under Hürzeler’s stewardship, are capable of competing with the elite.
For Manchester City, the defeat raised uncomfortable questions. Two losses in succession, both against teams outside the traditional top six, suggest a vulnerability that has rarely been seen in Guardiola’s tenure. The absence of Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden was felt, particularly in the final third, where City lacked creativity and incision. Haaland’s goal masked an otherwise wasteful performance, and the midfield trio of Rodri, Nunes, and Bernardo Silva failed to control the tempo in the second half. Defensively, the high line was exposed, and Trafford—despite several fine saves—was left isolated too often.
Brighton, on the other hand, will take immense confidence from the result. Hürzeler’s tactical flexibility, the depth of his bench, and the character shown by his players all point to a team that is evolving. Milner’s contribution was particularly symbolic—a veteran who, despite his age, continues to influence matches at the highest level. His penalty was not just a goal; it was a reminder of the value of experience, of leadership, and of the intangible qualities that statistics cannot measure. Gruda’s emergence adds another layer to Brighton’s attacking options, and Mitoma’s continued development makes him one of the most exciting wingers in the league.
As the final whistle blew and the Amex erupted, the contrast between the two sides was stark. City trudged off, heads bowed, searching for answers. Brighton, meanwhile, basked in the glow of a victory that will be etched into club folklore. It was a match that had everything—tension, drama, tactical intrigue, and moments of individual brilliance. But above all, it was a celebration of football’s unpredictability. In a league often dominated by financial powerhouses and established hierarchies, Brighton reminded everyone that courage, cohesion, and belief can still tilt the balance.
Looking ahead, Guardiola will need to regroup quickly. The fixture list offers little respite, and City’s title rivals will be watching closely. The return of De Bruyne and Foden cannot come soon enough, and questions will be asked about the defensive structure and midfield balance. For Brighton, the challenge will be to build on this momentum. Consistency has often eluded them in past campaigns, but with a blend of youth and experience, and a manager willing to take risks, the future looks promising.
In the end, this was more than just a football match. It was a narrative of redemption, of old heroes and new stars, of tactical gambits and emotional crescendos. It was James Milner rolling back the years, Brajan Gruda announcing himself on the big stage, and Brighton daring to dream. And as the fans spilled out into the Sussex evening, still buzzing from the spectacle they had witnessed, one truth lingered above all: football, in its purest form, remains gloriously unpredictable.
