Brighton end City’s winning start with 1-0 Etihad victory

Brighton ended Manchester City’s perfect start to the Premier League season with a 1-0 win at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, as Yasin Ayari scored the only goal in the 11th minute. The defeat was City’s second in succession in the league, following a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa the previous weekend. City had opened the campaign with seven straight league victories. The result leaves them on 21 points after nine matches, level with Arsenal, who have played once fewer. Ayari finished from close range after Matheus Nunes failed to deal with a low cross into the penalty area. The goal came after Brighton had also faced City in the League Cup on Wednesday, when they lost on penalties after a draw. Ayari had missed a penalty in that shootout. City had much of the possession and pressed for an equaliser, but Brighton held on. Bart Verbruggen made seven saves, according to match statistics, including a stop that turned an Iliman Ndiaye effort onto the crossbar. City’s late pressure did not produce a goal. The win moved Brighton to 19 points and third place. It was the club’s first Premier League away victory at Manchester City. Accounts differ on whether it came on the 18th or 19th...