De Zerbi: Our performance was very good

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Head coach assesses Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Manchester City.

Bruce Talbot

2022-10-22T16:37:00Z

Roberto De Zerbi will leave Albion after Sunday's game against Manchester United.

Roberto De Zerbi was frustrated after a brave Albion performance ended with a 3-1 defeat at the Etihad against Manchester City.

Two Erling Haaland goals in the first half included a penalty awarded after a lengthy VAR check and seemed to put the champions in charge.

But Leo Trossard cracked in his fifth goal of the season only for fellow Belgian Kevin De Bruyne to seal Manchester City’s win with a brilliant finish from outside the box.

Albion had 52% of possession and Pep Guardiola said that the visitors had ‘fantastic quality’, but Albion remain winless under De Zerbi after five games in charge.

De Zerbi said, “It is frustrating. I’m sad, not only for today but the last five games. I don’t want to speak about penalties or VAR, just the performance of my players which was again very good.

Delight for Danny Welbeck after he made it 2-0 at Bramall Lane.

“In the second half we played very well and had the chance to score and make it 2-2, then De Bruyne scored an amazing goal and closed our chance [of getting a result]. We have played well but the results in the last five games have not been fair.

“In the second half we played with much more energy, confidence and bravery. We have to play from the start like we played in the second half, but this is achievable for my players. I have every confidence in them and I am happy with them."

Guardiola was full of praise for Albion’s performance and believes his side will be back to winning ways soon.

“For Brighton it’s a question if time, when everyone settles,” said City's head coach. “Playing Brighton is so, so difficult. I admire the way Roberto’s teams play a lot. They are a team that are so proactive and will create a lot of problems for their opponents.”