Fabian Hürzeler is doing something that shouldn't really be possible in the modern Premier League. He is making Pep Guardiola look mortal.
When you look at Brighton & Hove Albion vs Man City, the history book used to be pretty one-sided. For years, City would roll into the Amex or welcome Brighton to the Etihad and essentially treat the game like a high-intensity training session. But things have shifted. We aren't in 2019 anymore.
Honestly, the recent 1-1 draw at the Etihad on January 7, 2026, was a perfect microcosm of why this fixture has become a must-watch for any neutral. City dominated the ball, as they always do. They had 60% possession and peppered the Brighton goal with 22 shots. Erling Haaland even put them ahead with a 41st-minute penalty. Yet, they couldn't kill it off.
The Hürzeler Hex
Most managers try to survive against City by parking the bus. Brighton doesn't do that. Hürzeler has stayed undefeated in his first four top-flight meetings against Guardiola—a feat no other manager has ever managed. Think about that for a second. Not Klopp, not Mourinho, not Ancelotti.
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How? It’s basically a mix of high-wire bravery and a refusal to be bullied. Brighton plays with a line so high it’s almost suicidal, yet they have the recovery speed to make it work. In that January clash, Kaoru Mitoma’s 60th-minute equalizer wasn't a fluke. It was a calculated exploit of a City defense that, frankly, looks a bit thin right now.
City’s injury crisis at the start of 2026 hasn't helped. With Joško Gvardiol, Rúben Dias, and John Stones all sidelined, Pep was forced to start Max Alleyne for his debut alongside Abdukodir Khusanov. While Khusanov actually ended up being the Man of the Match, the lack of cohesion in that backline is exactly what Brighton’s system is designed to punish.
Why City Struggles with the Seagulls
It’s about the "press." Everyone says they press, but Brighton’s 4-2-3-1 under Hürzeler is different. They don't just run at the ball; they bait the pass.
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- They invite the short ball to the keeper.
- They squeeze the central passing lanes to Rodri or whoever is sitting deep.
- They force City to go long—which is exactly what Erling Haaland wants, but not how City prefers to build rhythm.
You've got to look at the August 2025 meeting to see the full blueprint. Brighton won that 2-1. James Milner, at 39 years old, scored a penalty to equalize before Brajan Gruda snatched a winner in the 89th minute. It ended Rodri’s massive 49-game unbeaten streak in Premier League starts.
Key Personnel and Recent Form
If you're tracking Brighton & Hove Albion vs Man City for the title race, the stakes are massive. As of mid-January 2026, City is sitting second with 43 points, trailing Arsenal by six. Those dropped points against Brighton aren't just statistics; they are the reason the Gunners have breathing room.
- Erling Haaland: He’s still a freak of nature. He scored his 88th PL goal in his 100th appearance during the August clash. Even when City struggles, he usually finds a way.
- Kaoru Mitoma: The nightmare for any City right-back. In the most recent draw, he had Matheus Nunes in circles before slotting home the leveler.
- The Midfield Battle: Tijjani Reijnders and Phil Foden have been carrying the creative load for City, but they looked leggy against Brighton’s double-pivot of Pascal Groß and Yasin Ayari.
What Most People Get Wrong
People assume Brighton is just "lucky" or that City is "having an off day." That’s lazy analysis.
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The reality is that Brighton has become a tactical mirror. They play a style so similar to City’s own philosophy—possession-heavy, positional play, high pressing—that it confuses the rhythm. When you play against a team that wants the ball as much as you do, you can't just wait for them to tire. You have to win individual duels. Lately, Brighton has been winning those duels.
Actionable Insights for the Next Meeting
If you're betting on or analyzing the next time these two face off, keep an eye on these specific triggers:
- The First 15 Minutes: Brighton usually starts like a house on fire. If City doesn't score early to settle the crowd, the Seagulls' confidence grows exponentially.
- Substitution Timing: Hürzeler has been a master of the "triple sub" around the 65-minute mark. He did it in August to win the game and in January to hold the draw.
- The "Rodri" Factor: If Rodri isn't at 100%, City’s transition defense is non-existent. Brighton’s wingers like Mitoma and Gruda are too fast for City's backup defenders in open space.
Watch the injury reports for the next fixture. If City’s main center-backs aren't back, expect Brighton to play even more aggressively. They don't fear the champion's badge anymore; they see it as a target.