For Brighton, earning a point was sufficient to ensure that they would position sixth in the standings and qualify for the Europa League the following year.
Pep Guardiola commended his Manchester City players for overcoming their hangovers following their 1-1 draw against Brighton on Wednesday to extend their undefeated streak to 25 games and win the Premier League championship.
The English champions took the lead thanks to Phil Foden, but Brighton deservedly earned the point thanks to Julio Enciso’s incredible long-range goal.
Only 48 hours had passed when all the booze in Manchester was consumed, according to Guardiola. “Today they demonstrated why they are the best.
“We ran a lot and were modest. We have been the champs for many years because these guys displayed something unique.
Before the game, Guardiola praised Brighton’s manager Roberto De Zerbi, praising the Italian as one of the 20 most important managers in history.
In order to celebrate winning a fourth league championship in five years, the City coach brought back some prominent players who missed Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Chelsea as a sign of respect.
Erling Haaland made a comeback amid the six substitutions and had a chance to score his eighth hat-trick of the year in the next 30 minutes.
We were humble and ran a lot. Because of what these individuals showed, we have been the winners for a long time.
Guardiola hailed Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi as one of the 20 most significant managers in history before to the encounter.
The City coach showed respect by bringing back certain notable players who missed Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Chelsea in order to celebrate winning a fourth league championship in five years.
In the midst of the six replacements, Erling Haaland made a return and had a chance to score his ninth hat-trick of the season during the next 30 minutes.
On the fifth minute, the tall Norwegian headed over Foden’s inviting cross.
Haaland then failed to beat Jason Steele despite being clean through on goal due to a weak touch.
On his third attempt, he took no chances as Haaland squared selflessly with just Steele to beat, allowing Foden to score his 15th goal of the year.
However, Brighton quickly began to live up to Guardiola’s expectations after a sluggish start, sending the champions reeling.
We maintained our style “in every situation, even when the situation was difficult,” remarked De Zerbi.
Facundo Buonanotte could have done better with his effort after sauntering through the City defence after Danny Welbeck’s free-kick crashed off the bar.
An equaliser by Kaoru Mitoma was also overturned due to handball.
When Enciso finally equalised, though, there was no stopping him. After receiving a feed from Levi Colwill, the Paraguayan sent a shot into the top corner for his first Amex goal.
Moments later, Brighton put the ball in the back of the net for the third time in the opening 45 minutes, but Welbeck’s assist from Mitoma was called out for offside.
Despite the fast-paced game, there was less goalmouth activity in the second quarter.
When Haaland headed in Cole Palmer’s cross 15 minutes from time, he felt he had finally scored his 53rd goal of the year.
However, a VAR investigation uncovered that City’s mercurial number nine had grabbed Colwill’s shirt to make room for a free header.
Following that choice, there was a brief outburst of temper on the sidelines, and the referee sent Guardiola a yellow card.
As Phil Foden, John Stones, and Bernardo Silva were substituted in the second half, there were also some minor injury concerns for City ahead of the FA Cup and Champions League finals later this month.
Guardiola continued, “We have to take care so the players come to the finals as best as possible.
Though it was all smiles at the end as Guardiola and De Zerbi shared a warm embrace of mutual admiration after the full-time whistle.
