Soccer-Brighton's Gruda grabs last-gasp winner to sink Man City 2-1


Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester City - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - August 31, 2025 Brighton & Hove Albion's Brajan Gruda scores their second goal Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

BRIGHTON, England (Reuters) -Brighton & Hove Albion's Brajan Gruda snatched the winning goal a minute from time as the hosts beat Manchester City 2-1 in the Premier League on Sunday, after a James Milner penalty cancelled out Erling Haaland’s opener, in a stunning turnaround.

Haaland put City in front with a well-worked goal after 34 minutes as he wriggled between two defenders to score from close range, his third goal in as many games this season.

Brighton levelled after the ball struck Matheus Nunes' arm as he tried to protect his face from a cross and Milner drilled the spot kick home in the 67th to become the oldest scorer of a penalty in the Premier League at 39 years, 239 days.

The momentum had swung Brighton's way by then and it was the home side who claimed the points when German midfielder Gruda beat the offside trap and rounded James Trafford in the City goal to score and condemn City to back-to-back league defeats.

City are 12th with three points from their opening three matches, while it was a first win of the campaign for Brighton, who climbed to 10th place with four points.

"We are not at the level for a long, long time," City midfielder Rodri told Sky Sports. "The only way to come back is to look to ourselves. We started well but the second half we dropped a little bit.

"Then at home they have pressure and we make two mistakes and it's 2-1.

"We are missing the level. It is a matter of the team and the changes, new players have to adapt, and of course when you change the team that much it is difficult. This is our reality."

Brighton fans sang "Can we play you every week?" after repeating last season's 2-1 win home over Pep Guardiola's side.

"Unfortunately we have the international break. We'd have liked to have carried on the momentum," much-travelled ex-City midfielder Milner said.

"I was trying to stay calm (with the penalty). It's not the easiest thing but I hope my years of experience helped."

After scoring, Milner copied the video gamer goal celebration of his former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash in July. Milner is wearing Portuguese Jota's number 20 on his jersey at Brighton this season.

"Obviously Jots meant so much to everyone. It is an honour to wear his number this season. I have seen him doing (the celebration) and it was probably a bad impression by me."

Milner became the second oldest Premier League scorer overall after Teddy Sheringham, who netted for West Ham United against Portsmouth at 40 years, 268 days in 2006.

(Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Ken Ferris)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Football

Soccer-Norwegian FA chief Klaveness calls on FIFA to abolish peace prize
Soccer-France striker Mbappe suffers hamstring injury ahead of World Cup
Soccer-Adelaide striker Jovanovic rueful after goal celebration seals A-League semi-final ban
Soccer-Chelsea manager Bompastor calls for WSL goal-line tech after Kerr denied hat-trick
Soccer-Arsenal beat Lyonnes 2-1 in Women's Champions League semi-final first leg
Soccer-Netherlands and Tottenham's Simons to miss World Cup after knee injury
Soccer-Milan and Juve offer up another 0-0 draw to consolidate top-four grip
Soccer-Two goalkeepers sent off for stoppage-time punching brawl in Spanish derby
Soccer-Champions-in-waiting Inter held to 2-2 draw as Torino fight back
Soccer-Chelsea steady the ship by booking spot in FA Cup final

Others Also Read