19th February 2025

Manchester City supporters do not like to think of such things, but a day will eventually come when Pep Guardiola no longer wants to be their manager. It is therefore the duty of the club’s executives to have a succession plan in mind and, as they watched this fabulously entertaining match of football, they will no doubt have taken note of the courage and class of Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton.

De Zerbi is not going anywhere yet, not after leading this club into Europe for the first time in their history, but no one at Brighton expects him to be on the south coast in the long term. This is a manager who is heading for the top of the game and, when the post-Guardiola future finally looms, City could do a lot worse than ask after the Italian’s number. If he has not already been snatched up by someone else, that is.

Within a few minutes of this meeting at the Amex Stadium, it became clear that it would be a chess match of the highest order. Bus parking is not allowed in this part of Brighton these days, and De Zerbi’s team charged at the champions with spirit and enthusiasm. For them, the best form of defence is always to attack, no matter the opponent.

It was a different sort of challenge for City and, for long spells, they must have enjoyed it. At the final whistle the points were shared, bringing an end to their 12-match winning streak, and the result felt entirely fair. Phil Foden had struck first for the away side, before Julio Enciso launched one of the finest goals of the season into the top corner of City’s net.

Julio Enciso scores Brighton's equaliser - Brighton vs Manchester City result: De Zerbi proves he could fill Guardiola’s shoes at Man City - Getty Images/Mike Hewitt
Julio Enciso scores Brighton’s equaliser – Brighton vs Manchester City result: De Zerbi proves he could fill Guardiola’s shoes at Man City – Getty Images/Mike Hewitt

The draw officially confirmed that Brighton will be competing in the Europa League next season. For some bigger and snootier clubs, the prospect of Thursday night football is to be sneered at. For Brighton, it is a cause for genuine celebration. At the end of the night, their supporters were dancing in the stands.

Guardiola and De Zerbi’s admiration for each other is well-documented — they met in Manchester a few weeks before the Italian was appointed at Brighton — and this was a clash of tactical minds that quickly turned into one of the most entertaining contests of the campaign. “One of the best games of this season,” said De Zerbi.

The spectacle was perhaps made even better by the lack of jeopardy. City have already been confirmed as champions, while Brighton had already secured European football. They both let loose. City tried to produce their usual game, while Brighton did everything they could to impose their own style.

Erling Haaland in action for City against Brighton - Brighton vs Manchester City result: De Zerbi proves he could fill Guardiola’s shoes at Man City - AFP/Glyn Kirk
Erling Haaland in action for City against Brighton – Brighton vs Manchester City result: De Zerbi proves he could fill Guardiola’s shoes at Man City – AFP/Glyn Kirk

For City, who have FA Cup and Champions League finals to prepare for, it proved to be a welcome sharpener. They had to fight here, and they also had to think. “It was 40 hours after we drank all the alcohol in Manchester,” said Guardiola of this weekend’s title celebrations.

“At 10.30pm I was in bed with my wife because I was exhausted. But the players did what they have to do. You have to celebrate when you win the Premier League.”

Few teams this season, if any, have been as aggressive against Guardiola’s side as Brighton were here. Brighton pressed high and ran hard, with their centre-backs following City’s midfielders all over the pitch. That often meant leaving Erling Haaland one-versus-one at the back. There is perhaps no bigger risk in Premier League football, but it was a risk Brighton felt willing to take.

“I became a coach for him [Guardiola] because I loved his Barcelona,” said De Zerbi. “I studied him a lot. I don’t want to copy anyone, but I took ideas when I started to be a coach. Pep is number one.”

Imagine, for a moment, taking a video of this match back in time, to around 20 years ago. Imagine the faces on the coaches of the day in the Premier League. They simply would not recognise the sport they were watching. De Zerbi joked (or was it, not a joke?) afterwards that he was sad because his team had less possession of the ball than City.

Phil Foden scores Man City's goal - Brighton vs Manchester City result: De Zerbi proves he could fill Guardiola’s shoes at Man City - AFP/Glyn Kirk
Phil Foden scores Man City’s goal – Brighton vs Manchester City result: De Zerbi proves he could fill Guardiola’s shoes at Man City – AFP/Glyn Kirk

The game was breathless, frantic, and, above all else, brilliant fun. One team attacked, and then the other had a go. Billy Gilmour danced past challenges in midfield, while Foden ran at defenders on the flank. Haaland headed over, then Danny Welbeck hit the bar.

“I did not see one drop in our intensity,” said Guardiola. “They had chances, we had chances. Both teams wanted the ball, both teams wanted to press.”

Foden soon scored after Haaland had run in behind, but Enciso equalised from range. The 19-year-old boasts a shot of tremendous power and, such was the quality of his effort, there were City fans applauding behind the goal as it flew into their net.

There were to be no more goals but the drama never stopped, with Haaland denied a winner by the officials after he had pulled the shirt of Levi Colwill at the back post. Guardiola was so incensed by the decision that he was booked for his protests.

 

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