Brighton won 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, as Yasin Ayari's goal in the 11th minute decided Premier League gameweek 9 against Man City.
City had far more of the ball and many more shots. They could not find an equaliser.
Ayari settles it early
Ayari scored in the 11th minute, set up by Maxim De Cuyper. It was the only goal of the afternoon.
Brighton collected three bookings in a match they led from that point. Chema Andrés was cautioned in the 20th minute, De Cuyper in the 49th and Pascal Groß in the 81st. City had no bookings in the events.
City started with Erling Haaland up front. He has nine goals this season from 6.38 expected goals (xG), the quality of chances created, according to expected goals data via Fantasy Premier League. He could not add to that total here.
What the numbers say
The match statistics show how one-sided the game was in territory and shooting.
- Total shots: Man City 21, Brighton 7
- Shots on target: Man City 6, Brighton 3
- Shots off target: Man City 8, Brighton 3
- Blocked shots: Man City 7, Brighton 1
- Corners: Man City 8, Brighton 2
- Possession: Man City 63%, Brighton 37%
- Fouls: Man City 9, Brighton 13
City put six shots on target and Brighton three, and only Brighton scored. Seven of City's efforts were blocked, against one of Brighton's. Offsides were level at two each.
Brighton came into the game in strong form. They had won four of their previous five league games, including 3-0 against Arsenal and 5-0 wins over Crystal Palace and Coventry City. City had also won four of their last five.
What it means
The table figures MFF holds show City top with 21 points from nine games and a goal difference of +10. Brighton are third on 19 points with a goal difference of +17. Both sides have won at least six of their nine matches.
The two sides had met only three days earlier, on 28 October, and drew 2-2. Before this match their last six meetings had produced one City win, three draws and two Brighton wins. This result gives Brighton another win in the series.
This was a defeat for a side that averaged 2.22 goals a game before kick-off, and City were held scoreless. Brighton, who average 0.78 goals conceded a game this season, kept their goal intact against 21 shots.
MFF's match model had predicted a 2-1 win for City, with a home win rated at 45%. It got this one wrong.
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