Man City 2 Brighton 2: Guardiola’s men blow chance for three points after Seagulls come back twice in battle for top 4

BRIGHTON kept pace with Manchester City in the race for Europe after a pulsating draw at the Etihad.

The Seagulls twice fought back from behind to take a deserved point back to the South Coast.

PAErling Haaland fired Manchester City ahead from the penalty spot against Brighton[/caption] GettyThe goal was the Norwegian’s first in three games[/caption] ReutersOmar Marmoush was on target just before half-time to give City the lead[/caption] ReutersAbdukodir Khusanov netted an unfortunate own goal as Pep’s side wilted on home soil[/caption]

Erling Haaland fired the home side ahead from the penalty spot after a clumsy foul by Adam Webster after just 14 minutes.

But the Seagulls hit back through Pervis Estupinan’s superb freekick, the Ecuadorian finding the top corner.

Omar Marmoush – quickly emerging as a fan favourite at Eastlands – put City back in front with a brilliant finish.

Guardiola’s men took a lead into the break but were quickly on the back-foot in the second half.

An unfortunate Abdukodir Khusanov put through his own goal just seconds after the restart.

Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Mintehal almost made City pay for some sloppy defending, both missing big chances for the visitors.

Both sides have chances to win it in a frenetic last 10 minutes.

But they had to settle for a point each on a frustrating afternoon for Guardiola.

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ReutersPervis Estupinan levelled for the visitors to silence the Etihad[/caption] GettyEstupinan curled in a brilliant freekick from the edge of the box[/caption]