Brighton and Hove Albion faced Manchester City on March 15, 2025, at the Premier League’s 29th matchday, ending the thrilling encounter with a 2-2 draw. This high-stakes match was particularly significant as both teams are contending for spots in the next Champions League. Kaoru Mitoma, Brighton's Japanese midfielder, certainly made headlines during the match, but his ambitions were slightly thwarted as he encountered another disallowed goal.
Mitoma’s moment came early, just six minutes after the match kicked off, when he managed to push the ball past City’s goalkeeper, Stefan Ortega, following a cross from his teammate, Hinshelwood. Unfortunately, the joy was short-lived as VAR intervened to nullify the goal, citing Mitoma's foul on the goalkeeper. Evidently frustrated, Mitoma raised his arms, visibly expressing his disappointment at the decision. This marked his second consecutive game where he had seen a goal disallowed, following similar misfortune against Fulham the previous week.
The intensity of the match quickly escalated after this near-miss. Just three minutes later, Manchester City was awarded a penalty after Webster fouled their forward, Muldush. Star striker Erling Haaland, with his nerves of steel, converted the opportunity immediately, putting City up 1-0 within the first eleven minutes.
Yet Brighton, boasting impressive momentum with six consecutive official wins prior to this match, didn't back down. They retaliated swiftly—in the 22nd minute, Estupinan delivered on the team's promise by equalizing with a stunning strike from around 22 yards out, which curled beautifully past Ortega, hitting the inside of the left post before settling in the net.
Alas, the back and forth continued when, during the 39th minute, City regained the lead through Muldush's powerful mid-range shot following a quick counterattack, making the score 2-1. Brighton found themselves chasing the game heading to halftime, needing to regain their footing.
The second half saw Brighton’s spirit renewed. Just shortly after play resumed, at the 48-minute mark, they leveled the score again through another stroke of luck; Hinshelwood’s shot deflected off Fasanof and slipped past Ortega to mark the second equalizer for Brighton, revitalizing the team and their supporters.
Despite their fierce efforts, which included more attempts from Mitoma—who had another shot blocked by Ortega at the 63rd minute—Brighton couldn’t find the winning goal. Mitoma created several chances, showcasing his skillful touches and quick decisions on the ball. Looking to create another opportunity, he accurately passed to forward Joao Pedro, turning the tide momentarily but, unfortunately, the chances didn’t materialize as they could have.
With Brighton seeking to push for their fifth consecutive league victory, they were unable to convert opportunities late in the match. Following their impressive resilience, both teams remained adamant until the final whistle, ending the game 2-2.
What may have sounded disappointing, at least on paper, was still regarded as a strong performance from Brighton. They may have missed out on consecutive wins, but this invaluable point could prove to be pivotal as they aim for Champions League qualification. The match against Manchester City left Brighton not only with one point but also reaffirmed their capability to challenge some of the best teams in the league.
Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how both teams will fare going forward, especially with Brighton pushing to secure their position as they head toward important matches against formidable opponents. Mitoma's continued development means he remains key to his team, and as he prepares to join the Japan national team for their upcoming matches against Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, followers will watch closely to see how this standout player adapts and conquers various challenges on the pitch.