The Media Review: A first point at Manchester City

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Nick Szczepanik

2025-03-16T10:15+00:00

Jack Hinshelwood equalised for Albion at the Etihad. 📷 by James Boardman.

Albion’s first point at the Etihad Stadium was a milestone for the club, but also for some of the Manchester-based media, who are beginning to realise that Manchester City are not the only team on the pitch when they play at their expanding stadium in Eastlands.

In his final-whistle report for The Sunday Telegraph, James Ducker wrote that “Carlos Baleba missed a golden chance to give Brighton and Hove Albion a famous Premier League double against champions Manchester City.

“In a thrilling game at the Etihad Stadium, Fabian Hürzeler’s side twice came from behind to claim a thoroughly deserved 2-2 draw and underline their Champions League credentials.

“And the day could and probably should have been better only for the otherwise outstanding Baleba to balloon a shot over the crossbar from 12 yards after having time and space to take a touch and pick his spot eight minutes from time. Brighton were a persistent attacking threat.”

On the website that used to be The Independent, Richard Jolly wrote that “Hurzeler’s cavaliers had boldness but insufficient ruthlessness; the mystery was how Brighton only scored two.

“They twice responded after going behind. Pervis Estupinan’s free kick went in via the far post, with Stefan Ortega slow to react as the Ecuadorian scored his first goal of the season. City contributed to Albion’s second equaliser in a different way. Webster won a header from a corner and Hinshelwood’s shot on the turn deflected in off the luckless Abdukodir Khusanov.”

Jonathan Northcroft went into more detail in The Sunday Times: “Gundogan was left gasping when, in a late counterattack, Carlos Baleba left him like a stalled car at traffic lights and raced 60 yards to reach the box,” he wrote.

“The choreography, athleticism and smarts of Brighton were encapsulated in that break and with better execution they would have secured their first win at the Etihad Stadium. They made more big chances and were unfortunate to have an early goal ruled out for a supposed foul by Kaoru Mitoma.

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A point a piece at the Etihad as Albion draw 2-2 with Pep Guardiola's City side, Pervis Estupinan and Jack Hinshelwood both found the back of the net but it wasn't quite enough for victory.

“What they lacked was experience. Baleba is only 21 and Jack Hinshelwood, who scored but then wasted the opportunity to set up Danny Welbeck for a winner, is 19. Fabian Hürzeler is a child in managerial terms too — but a child prodigy.”

Northcroft also praised the Albion goals. “Rutter won a free kick 20 yards. Left-footed, Pervis Estupiñán arced it around the wall. The trajectory was beautiful, mesmerising — so much so that Ortega found his inner Alan Rough (one for the oldies) and simply watched, wearing a baffled look as the ball curled on to a post and went in. It was 1-1 and no more than Brighton deserved.

“Brighton, through Baleba and Pedro, missed chances but went level again after blitzing a passive City at the start of the second half. Estupiñán lofted a clever corner to Webster on the edge of the box, who sent a looping header into the goalmouth and Abdukodir Khusanov played Hinshelwood onside, then had his agony compounded when Hinshelwood’s shot hit his thigh and pinged past Ortega. From there, City had by far the more ball and territory, but Brighton the better chances.”

Crime novelist, DJ and all-round force of nature Jamie Jackson, writing in The Observer, thought that “a point each felt fair, and each side remain what they have been all term. City are a powderpuff proposition, Brighton an improving force. They harried City, causing loose passes from Rico Lewis and González. When Haaland weaved into position to unload, Diego Gómez flew back to execute a slide-tackle that needed to be precise.

Diego Gomez put in another terrific performance in the Albion midfield. 📷 by James Boardman.

“As was Pervis Estupiñán’s equaliser. To the right of City’s D, the left-back struck a howitzer of a free-kick that ranged low, pinballing off the left post, Ortega a statue when he should have dived at least.”

In The Sun on Sunday, Ken Lawrence wrote that “Hurzeler’s men looked confident and brash as well they might do. Since being spanked 7-0 by Nottingham Forest at the beginning of February, they had responded in scintillating style, winning six games on the bounce in all competitions.

“City, who had never lost at home to Brighton in their history, were still ahead by the 11th minute thanks to Erling Haaland’s penalty. But Brighton took advantage of more dodgy work by Ortega. Pervis Estupinan delivered a free kick from 20 yards that took a tiny deflection.

“There was hesitancy, indecision and a dearth of pizzaz throughout City’s side yet they were back in the lead by the 38th minute.

“Five minutes later Hurzeler’s side were level again as Webster rose to power a header across the box, Hinshelwood moved first to scoop at the ball and Khusanov, trying to save the day, deflected an effort that was going wide into his own net.”

Jack Gaughan’s report for The Mail on Sunday was one of the few throwbacks that saw most of the game, even Albion’s goals, in City terms.

“City couldn't protect their lead, that lasting only 10 minutes,” he wrote. “Nico Gonzalez had fouled around 25 yards from goal, Pervis Estupinan sending the free kick towards Stefan Ortega's right-hand post. Ortega both gambled off his left foot and then guessed that the effort was going wide, wandering over nonchalantly, only to find it clinking off the frame and in.

“Fabian Hurzeler, in animated disagreement with Guardiola on the touchline, had Brighton drilled perfectly to exploit City's deficiencies but had seen them give up a few too many opportunities as well. The way the young German prowled and pointed suggested he knew the points were there to grab and three minutes into the second half they were level again after hospitality from their hosts.

“Abdukodir Khusanov was sluggish in getting out from a corner, meaning Adam Webster's header towards danger saw Jack Hinshelwood spin to shoot, careering off the Uzbek and wrong-footing Ortega. It trickled over the line with the same sadness, the same slow-motion tragedy as much of this season.”

Cheer up, Jack - it looks a lot better from here in Sussex!