Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola saw red with his opposite number’s reaction following Brighton’s 3-2 comeback win, getting involved in an angry altercation with Graham Potter after the Sky Blues were beaten 3-2 by Brighton on Tuesday night. The Seagulls came from 2-0 down to beat the Spaniard’s side 3-2 after an early red card for Joao Cancelo.
The home side’s win – their first over Man City in the league since 1989 – capped a brilliant night for the Seagulls in front of 7,900 ecstatic fans inside a boisterous American Express Community Stadium.
Ilkay Gundogan began the showdown by putting City ahead early on when he converted Riyad Mahrez’s cross, but they were reduced to 10 men after just 10 minutes when Cancelo was sent off for pulling back Danny Welbeck.
Phil Foden contributed with a superb solo effort to put the table-toppers 2-0 up and on course for a 13th consecutive Premier League away win.
However, Leandro Trossard managed to pull one back with a brilliant zig-zag run and powerful finish and, raucously spurred on by the home crowd, Brighton found their feet with Adam Webster heading home to make it 2-2 before Dan Burn fired in a rebound to give Brighton the lead.
City were denied a penalty for Adam Lallana’s tackle on Gabriel Jesus and were furious that Gundogan had to limp off following a high foot on him from Alireza Jahanbakhsh.
When the full-time whistle was blown, Guardiola and his coaching staff were seen in an animated, heated discussion with Brighton boss, Potter. Guardiola appeared to usher away fitness coach Lorenzo Buenaventura as the staff from both teams went down the tunnel, while goalkeeping coach Xabier Mancisidor could be seen wagging his finger disapprovingly at Potter.
In his post-match press conference Potter apologised for his reaction to Trossard’s goal, which appeared to have caused the unruly scenes at full-time.
“The first goal, I was a bit emotional, it wasn’t my finest hour, I apologise,” he said.
“Not meant with any intent, an emotional response and wasn’t a good one. I apologize, no offense meant but I admit it wasn’t a nice moment.”
Cryptically, Guardiola said but not without self-restraint in his customary gentleman’s style: “What I have to tell I shall keep inside.”
Guardiola also provided an update on the injury which forced Gundogan to be replaced by Fernandinho in the 56th minute.
“Tomorrow we will check it,” he said. “The doctor seems quite optimistic
“He was injured a little bit. It was a kick. He started the second half and had niggles in his muscle because he couldn’t run properly. I don’t take a risk, that’s why we did a substitution.”
Guardiola also refused to comment on the decision to send Cancelo off.
“I didn’t watch it,” he said. “We have to be more careful, finish 11 versus 11.
“We have to improve for the Champions League final. Always we have to finish with 11. We have to try.”