Pep Guardiola laughed and grinned his way through the latter stages of a barmy night, his nervousness and acceptance that this was not a game he could puppeteer a tribute to the guy in the opposite technical area.
There is history to be made for Manchester City and Guardiola. The next fortnight is the biggest in English football for almost a quarter of a century. But for one night, the accolades were Roberto De Zerbi’s and Brighton. A best-ever finish, done with guts and panache.
The Europa League anthem pumped out across the Amex Stadium after an evening very few will forget. A lengthy embrace by the two managers told all of what spellbinding artistry had been on show during an exhibition. ‘We deserve to play in the Europa League,’ Brighton’s boss said with understate.
Brighton provided evidence as to why they have upset traditionally big sides this year, Julio Enciso’s incredible equaliser a product of De Zerbi daringly splitting the centre halves and playing through City. Very few manage that.
Guardiola may well have left this place wondering if, in hindsight, it will have proven a tougher assignment than at least one of the upcoming finals.
Brighton have secured Europa League football for next season after holding City to a draw
The Premier League champions looked a little sluggish after their title winning celebrations
Phil Foden (right) opened the scoring for Manchester City in the 25th minute of the game
Maybe those who matter at the Etihad Stadium will have been taking first-hand notes about a 43-year-old who Guardiola so effusively talked up beforehand. ‘Pay attention to what I’m going to say,’ Guardiola had said, before stating that De Zerbi is one of the best around. Last night he was talking about how he watched his Sassuolo, Napoli and Milan teams, remarking, ‘Oh my God,’ at the style. ‘They are the only one who plays this way,’ Guardiola said. ‘It belongs to them.’
The Italian has become one the preeminent coaches across the continent and why has been obvious ever since taking over at Brighton – sixth place confirmed with a draw that halted City’s 12-match winning run, done with such an enjoyable and infectious way of playing.
‘I became a coach for him because I loved his Barcelona,’ De Zerbi said. ‘I studied him a lot. I don’t want to copy no-one but I took [ideas] when I started to be a coach. Pep is number one.’
Jan Paul van Hecke, up against Erling Haaland on just his third league start, was asked to rampage between centre half and midfield early doors to unsettle the champions. Levi Colwill performed similar and it is rare for opposition to go at City with such vigour.
De Zerbi wanted to mess with Guardiola’s rhythm and his team are equipped to do so. An energy bubbled here, Brighton partying and City trying to slow it all down. So slow, in fact, that Guardiola rebuked Ilkay Gundogan, demanding the captain to raise his levels as the Seagulls flew into challenges and turned their visitors over.
City left several players at home with niggles, lost goalscorer Phil Foden to a knock, but this intensity was exactly what Guardiola wanted before Manchester United and Inter. ‘Absolutely,’ he said. ‘We need these opponents to bring us to our maximum. Games winning 3-0 would be damaging. Brentford will be the same. We have to play at that level in the finals.’
And then there were the celebrations at Mnky Hse until the early hours of Monday morning. ‘It was 40 hours after we drank all the alcohol in Manchester,’ Guardiola said. ‘At 10.30pm I was in bed with my wife because I was exhausted. But the players did what they had to do.’
Enciso (above) scored an absolute rocket from 25 yards out to get Brighton back into the game
Erling Haaland scored for Manchester City in the second half but his goal was chalked off
VAR reviewed the goal and disallowed it after claiming Haaland pulled the shirt of Colwill
City boss Pep Guardiola was awarded a yellow card after disputing Haaland’s disallowed goal
They did here as well. Haaland missed a few chances before laying on for Foden to bundle home after 25 minutes, but Brighton had plenty too. Danny Welbeck clattered the bar, while Kaoru Mitoma saw a goal disallowed for handball from a corner. An offence so obvious that a rugby TMO will have found that Mitoma grounded the ball before the try-line.
The equaliser, seven minutes before the break, took the breath away. A goal so good that City fans behind Stefan Ortega were clapping before ball struck netting, Enciso collecting possession from 30 yards and, as John Stones backpedalled slightly, hit from out to in with mesmeric fade. ‘Julio has big, big potential but I want him to play better, play for the team,’ De Zerbi said. ‘I think he can do that if he stays with us. I think for sure he can improve.’
Welbeck had it in the net, too, but adjudged to have been marginally offside. Foden then headed over from six yards seconds later; it was that sort of night. One Brighton fan, heading up for a pint, screamed ‘bellissimo, bellissimo’.
De Zerbi fancied this, introducing Evan Ferguson and Alexis Mac Allister after half-time for impetus, the latter likely saying a goodbye to these home fans before moving on.
Pervis Estupinan lined one up and the Amex thought that was it, with 14 minutes remaining, only for him to whistle inches by the post. So close that Guardiola, on his knees, mischievously smirked at the opposing bench. No smiling when Haaland’s winner was chalked off for pulling Colwill’s shirt though.
‘If that is disallowed then every action a defender makes on Haaland is a foul,’ Guardiola added. ‘The goal should be given but everything we earn is on the pitch – nobody gives us anything,’ with more than a hint of resentment towards ongoing discussion around those Premier League charges.
