Erling Haaland became the fastest player ever to 100 Premier League goal contributions as Manchester City were held by fellow top-four hopefuls Brighton 2-2 at the Etihad.
The chase for European football is being hotly contested by as many as eight clubs this season, including both City and Brighton, but neither were able to take command of the race despite record-breaking Haaland’s best efforts.
Omar Marmoush won a penalty – felled by a senseless Adam Webster challenge – for the striker to despatch an opener, before Marmoush himself rifled a superb second after Pervis Estupinan had drawn the visitors level via a pinpoint free-kick.
The game was played at a thrilling pace when Abdukodir Khusanov turned through his own net early in the second period to draw emboldened Brighton – on a four-game winning streak – level for the second time.
Yankuba Minteh let a back-post sitter run through his legs, Carlos Baleba smashed over unmarked from 10 yards, while Nico Gonzalez struck the post for City, but neither side were unable to turn one point into a precious three.
The competition for the chance to play Champions League football next season remains as fascinatingly open as ever.
More to follow…
