Brighton 1-1 Manchester City: Julio Enciso scores stunning equaliser to seal Europa League place
Brighton’s Julio Enciso scored a fantastic equaliser as the Seagulls confirmed Europa League qualification with an entertaining draw against champions Manchester City.
Phil Foden opened the scoring for Treble-chasing City, squeezing the ball beyond Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke on the goalline after Erling Haaland’s assist left goalkeeper Jason Steele stranded.
The Seagulls deservedly levelled through 19-year-old Enciso’s stunning strike, which arrowed into the top corner from 25 yards.
Haaland had a goal ruled out for a pull on his marker in 79th minute following a video assistant referee review, as Brighton held on for a draw that ends City’s 12-match winning run in the Premier League.
As for Brighton, the hard-earned point seals a top-six finish and cements a place in next season’s Europa League group stage.
Brilliant Brighton secure sixth
Brighton were good value for their point and on another day could have handed City their first defeat since 5 February.
Danny Welbeck struck the crossbar direct from a free-kick in the 19th minute, while Kaoru Mitoma bundled home from a corner after 31 minutes only to see his goal rightly ruled out for the ball hitting his arm.
Enciso’s leveller was brilliant. The Paraguayan midfielder capitalised on City’s defenders backing away and sweetly stuck the ball into the top-right corner to net his fourth goal since joining the Sussex club in January.
The hosts continued to push with Welbeck having a goal ruled out for offside on the stroke of half-time.
And after the restart City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega did well to keep out both Mitoma and Evan Ferguson, while Pervis Estupinan fired a long-range effort narrowly wide.
Brighton’s 20 shots was the most the Citizens have faced in the league this season.
Roberto de Zerbi’s side travel to Aston Villa on the final day of the season on Sunday, safe in the knowledge they have already achieved the club’s highest ever top-flight finish.
More to follow.
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Brighton & Hove Albion
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Squad number23Player nameSteele
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Squad number13Player nameGroß
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Squad number29Player namevan Hecke
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Squad number6Player nameColwill
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Squad number30Player nameEstupiñán
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Squad number27Player nameGilmour
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Squad number25Player nameCaicedo
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Squad number40Player nameBuonanotte
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Squad number20Player nameEnciso
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Squad number22Player nameMitoma
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Squad number18Player nameWelbeck
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Squad number10Player nameMac Allister
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Squad number21Player nameUndav
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Squad number28Player nameFerguson
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Squad number34Player nameVeltman
Manchester City
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Squad number4Player namePhillips - Squad number19Player nameÁlvarez
- Squad number21Player nameGómez
- Squad number80Player namePalmer
Line-ups
Brighton
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 23Steele
- 13Groß
- 29van HeckeBooked at 90mins
- 6Colwill
- 30Estupiñán
- 27GilmourSubstituted forMac Allisterat 52′minutes
- 25Caicedo
- 40BuonanotteSubstituted forVeltmanat 75′minutesBooked at 89mins
- 20EncisoSubstituted forFergusonat 52′minutes
- 22Mitoma
- 18WelbeckSubstituted forUndavat 75′minutes
Substitutes
- 4Webster
- 5Dunk
- 10Mac Allister
- 21Undav
- 26Ayari
- 28Ferguson
- 34Veltman
- 38McGill
- 51Peupion
Man City
Formation 4-3-3
- 18Ortega
- 2Walker
- 5StonesSubstituted forGómezat 84′minutes
- 16Rodri
- 82Lewis
- 17De BruyneSubstituted forÁlvarezat 57′minutes
- 8Gündogan
- 20Bernardo SilvaBooked at 41minsSubstituted forPhillipsat 84′minutes
- 26Mahrez
- 9Haaland
- 47FodenSubstituted forPalmerat 51′minutes
Substitutes
- 4Phillips
- 19Álvarez
- 21Gómez
- 31Ederson
- 62Charles
- 75O’Reilly
- 80Palmer
- 93Robertson
- 96Knight
- Referee:
- Simon Hooper
- Attendance:
- 31,388
Live Text
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Match ends, Brighton and Hove Albion 1, Manchester City 1.
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Second Half ends, Brighton and Hove Albion 1, Manchester City 1.
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Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton and Hove Albion) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Erling Haaland (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton and Hove Albion).
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Erling Haaland (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton and Hove Albion).
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Attempt missed. Erling Haaland (Manchester City) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Riyad Mahrez with a cross following a set piece situation.
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Joël Veltman (Brighton and Hove Albion) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Cole Palmer (Manchester City) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Joël Veltman (Brighton and Hove Albion).
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Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton and Hove Albion).
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Foul by Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City).
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Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Rico Lewis (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton and Hove Albion).
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Substitution, Manchester City. Kalvin Phillips replaces Bernardo Silva.
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Substitution, Manchester City. Sergio Gómez replaces John Stones because of an injury.
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