When does a blip turn into a slump? Before the game, Pep Guardiola was asked this question and pointed to Manchester City’s remarkable streak of success. However, their recent losses in the last three matches mark the first time they’ve lost three in a row since April 2018 under his leadership. Therefore, Saturday’s trip to Brighton is crucial for stopping this downward trend.
Two years ago, Rúben Amorim’s Sporting were crushed 5-0 in a powerful display by City. This match, which marked the end of Manchester United’s incoming new manager’s tenure, saw him hailed as the “new Ferguson” by some United fans, at least, after he predicted such a fate if their cross-town rivals were defeated. The 39-year-old achieved this by teaching Sporting how to execute quick breaks, which were then expertly carried out, making City look foolish. City remains on seven points, while Amorim leaves with 10, steering Sporting’s Champions League fate. This all happens while he prepares to introduce the 3-4-3 formation at United starting from November 11.
“Sweet Caroline” played, the José Alvalade stadium was nearly sold out, and Amorim’s final home game started terribly. Players were exchanging passes when Phil Foden stole possession from Hidemasa Morita. Sporting retreated, allowing City’s playmaker to advance into the area and shoot past Franco Israel. After City’s losses to Tottenham and Bournemouth, this was a welcome relief. However, fragility was evident when Gyökeres broke through. As Ederson advanced, the Swede attempted to chip the goalkeeper but failed, and the ball was collected.
Guardiola has discussed his injured players and how this is part of the season’s challenges. With Rúben Dias and John Stones on the injury list, the manager gave Jahmai Simpson-Pusey his full debut, just a day after the defender turned 19. Gyökeres’s next move was to attack Simpson-Pusey along the left channel, but the young Manchester native held firm. Before this, City threatened through two Foden corners and two Erling Haaland efforts. The first drew a flying save from Israel, the second missed wide off Haaland’s weaker right foot.
City had Portugal’s champions under control: dominating possession and forcing them to rely on scraps. When Israel hesitated playing out from the back, Haaland nearly intercepted. The next time Sporting tried this, Savinho stole the ball, and City had them on the ropes in a sequence that featured another Foden corner that Josko Gvardiol nearly converted. Impressively, a move from back to front had Mateo Kovacic scheming halfway and Rico Lewis slipping inside from right-back to set Savinho racing through. Result: a cross intended for Haaland and another Foden corner.
His next corner was floated onto Haaland’s head, and though he beat the airborne Israel, the ball was cleared off the line. City were an unstoppable force, intimidating their hosts with relentless passing. Foden appeared down the left and delivered a cross that Haaland volleyed at, but Israel repelled it. The 72.9% ball-retention rate encapsulated the contest. City were in shooting practice mode when Bernardo Silva weaved through and shot to beat Israel but missed. Gyökeres then broke – from Geovany Quenda’s pass – and, reaching the area, held off Simpson-Pusey and crafted a delightful chip over Ederson for 1-1.
A near-identical move nearly occurred in Sporting’s next break beyond City’s highline, but Francisco Trincão’s composure failed, and he blasted wide. City faltered as, from virtually the second-half kick-off, Maximiliano Araújo got behind on Pedro Gonçalves’s ball and beat Ederson. The visitors, stunned, were soon shocked. Gvardiol foolishly fouled Trincao, and referee Daniel Siebert awarded a penalty. Gyorkes smashed this past Ederson, and the stadium erupted in noise and joy.
For the first time in a long while, City were being questioned and struggled to find answers. Even when Lewis drew a free-kick on the edge of Sporting’s area, Foden’s attempt did not beat the wall. Guardiola, in the technical area, looked powerless, while Amorim, on the other side, appeared as the cunning and controlled coach. City never give up, but the flow of chances had stopped until Silva claimed a penalty when challenged by Ousmane Diomande – via Siebert being directed by VAR to the sideline screen.
To his dismay, and amid loud home whistles, Haaland crashed the spot kick onto the bar. From here, a long way back for the blue team and a famous final flourish on Sporting’s turf as the prize for Amorim. It was sealed when Nunes fouled Geny Catamo, Sporting’s second penalty was given, and Gyökeres converted. This proved to be City’s biggest defeat since a 5-2 loss to Leicester in 2020 and a fitting sendoff for Amorim.
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