Sussex

Scott McCarthy
Fan writer

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It was not so long ago that the only reason for a Brighton fan to look forward to an away game at Manchester City was because it was one of the only away ground concourses in English football that sold a well-known dark fruit cider.

This was both a blessing and a curse. Take the Albion's first visit to Etihad Stadium in May 2018.

Many pints of said drink were sunk, both before the match and during half-time. The pain of a 3-1 defeat was lessened.

On the flip side, it meant missing the booked public transport home and an unplanned night in Manchester until the first train back to London the following morning.

And that 3-1 defeat was one of Brighton's better efforts. Largely because it involved an actual Albion goal.

Before facing City on Saturday, Brighton's record at Etihad Stadium read: played seven, lost seven, scored three, conceded 18. Grim.

To therefore be disappointed that Brighton were leaving the Etihad with a mere point from visit eight was quite an extraordinary feeling.

Likewise, wondering just how costly Carlos Baleba blazing over the bar with 10 minutes remaining might be to the Albion's Champions League hopes.

The current campaign, in many ways, reminds me of the 2022-23 season. Talk of the Europa League seemed fanciful going into the March international break. Little ol' Brighton finishing in the top six? Surely not.

And yet, Roberto de Zerbi and his players went on to make history. Fast forward two years and Fabian Hurzeler and the current crop have every chance of doing the same.

No matter what happens from this point onwards, the final two months of the season are going to be an absolute roller coaster.

From losing 7-0 at Nottingham Forest to being seven unbeaten - including six wins and a draw against the four-in-a-row champions - it is never dull being an Albion supporter.

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Manchester City and Brighton.

Here are some of your comments:

City fans

Scott: A fabulous game of football from both sides. Brighton employed the high press with great success, shutting down City's attacks at source. City used the wings excellently, and should have reaped more rewards, but for wayward finishing. On the whole, a fair result.

Keith: City have arrived at a crossroads for Pep, and he hasn't got the team to play the same way we did. Things have to change, either by the style of play or with the players retained. Why does Pep retain Lewis, Gvardiol, Ederson, or Nunes?

John: Sadly, this was the day City's Champions League chances all but disappeared. Liverpool, Arsenal and Nottingham Forest will take first, second and third, Chelsea will take fourth while Brighton are in brilliant form and will take fifth. City and Newcastle are fighting for sixth.

Brian: City struggle to kill off games and because of this struggle to hold on. They made progress today but defensive errors continue to halt the team success. We have high possession stats but poor shot stats - it is a boring watch. Brighton are excellent on the counter-attack and City struggle with the speed of such forward play. Qualification for Europe is going to be a challenge. We need to be more aggressive up front.

Brighton fans

Fran: A mixed performance but also a good point. To be disappointed having a draw at City shows how far we have come. Just more clinical finishing for those two clear chances and we would have taken all three points!

Steve: Oh dear, two golden chances to win it! I suppose before the game we would take a point, but how good is it to feel slightly disappointed to only draw away at City. This team is showing real class and potential. Let's hope we can keep these guys for a while before they are poached.

Jimmy: Minteh's one-footedness cost Brighton here. If he had a right foot, he'd have had a tap in, instead of lunging two footed and missing the ball completely.

Stan: Brilliant performance from the Seagulls today. I would prefer a win but happy with the draw. Seagulls soaring into Europe.

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

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Brighton & Hove Albion were thoroughly deserving of their 1-0 win against Tottenham, a result that ended their seven game winless run and condemned the home side to a fourth defeat in a row.

Sunday's game at Brisbane Road won't last long in the memory, with the first half typified by stray passes and low-quality play.

The only real moment of quality came three minutes before the break when Fran Kirby steered her effort into the bottom corner of Tottenham's goal following Rachel McLauchlan's cut-back.

The visitors forced Spurs goalkeeper Lize Kop into four saves, but the same could not be said for Brighton's Melina Loeck.

Spurs manager Robert Vilahamn will be concerned by his side's lack of penetration in the absence of leading goal-scorer Bethany England; his side took just one shot in the second half despite trailing.

Tottenham finished sixth last season and reached the FA Cup final, but this term threatens to peter out with little left to play for.

After fighting hard to draw 2-2 with league leaders Chelsea earlier in the month, Dario Vidosic and his Brighton players will look to build a winning run.