Manchester City 1-1 Brighton: Report as City drop more points in title race

Manchester City were held to a third Premier League draw in a row as they lost more ground on leaders Arsenal.

Erling Haaland put City ahead with his 150th goal for the club from the penalty spot but some slack defending allowed Kaoru Mitoma to run on and bury a low leveller.

Brighton were twice caught on the ball inside their own area as City pressed high for a winner but there was no way past Bart Verbruggen.

The point means Arsenal lead by five points with a game in hand.

Brighton started positively and the recently re-signed Pascal Gross had a header saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma before Ferdi Kadioglu was also denied by the keeper.

A subdued atmosphere changed dramatically shortly before half-time as Jeremy Doku went down in the box after a challenge by Diego Gomez.

Referee Thomas Bramall was called to the pitchside monitor to review his decision and a spot-kick was eventually awarded.

Haaland made no mistake as he drilled his shot into the bottom corner and Tijjani Reijnders had an effort cleared off the line soon after.

Bernardo Silva also went close after the restart as he seized on a wayward pass by Yasin Ayari but his shot hit the outside of the post.

City were to rue those misses as Mitoma, making only his second start since a two-month injury lay-off in the autumn, buried a low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Haaland’s header was cleared off the line by Kadioglu and the Norwegian was guilty of a glaring miss soon after.