Pep Guardiola suffered four defeats in a row for the first time in his managerial career as Manchester City’s dismal run reached a new low with a late collapse in their 2-1 defeat at Brighton on Saturday.

With just 12 minutes remaining, Guardiola’s struggling side were clinging to the lead Erling Haaland had given them in the first half.

But they collapsed in the closing stages when Joao Pedro equalized before Matt O’Riley scored Brighton’s winner seven minutes from full time.

For the first time in his successful coaching career with City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona, ​​Guardiola was beaten four times in a row.

It was also the first time City had lost four consecutive games since a series between April and August 2006 under Stuart Pearce.

After exiting the League Cup to Tottenham and suffering a first league defeat since December at Bournemouth, City were beaten 4-1 by Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League in midweek.

The crisis continued as they failed to kill Brighton before a second-half implosion threatened to derail their bid for a fifth consecutive Premier League title.

Second-placed City are two points behind leaders Liverpool, who can extend that gap to five points if they beat Aston Villa at Anfield later on Saturday.

City have been plagued by injury problems, including the loss of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri for the remainder of the season.

Kevin De Bruyne, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji were only fit enough for the bench, while Ruben Dias, John Stones, Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish were missing from the squad.

Guardiola had insisted he would solve City’s problems, but he has so far been unable to find an answer to the growing crisis.

City had paid for failing to turn their dominance into a more than one-goal lead against Sporting and profligacy was once again a problem on England’s south coast.

– City In tormented –

Savinho should have given City the lead when Mateo Kovacic’s pass sent him into the Albion box, but the Brazilian’s weak finishing allowed Bart Verbruggen to save.

Kovacic was the catalyst as City took the lead in the 23rd minute with a goal that was equal parts inspiration and sweat.

The Croatian midfielder’s perfect pass split Brighton’s defense but Haaland still had work to do as his initial shot was blocked by Verbruggen, leaving the Norwegian in a race with Jan Paul van Hecke to drive the ball home before it cannot be released.

Haaland’s 15th goal in all competitions this season was only the second time he has scored in his last six league matches.

Haaland’s 75th league goal since joining City in 2022 was almost followed by the 76th moments later, his low shot palmed away by Verbruggen at the near post.

Kovacic’s long-range volley forced another good save from the increasingly overworked Verbruggen.

But City inevitably lowered their intensity just before half-time, allowing Fabian Hurzeler’s men to gain a foothold.

Jack Hinshelwood missed a golden opportunity to bring Brighton level early in the second half as his point-blank header from Pervis Estupinan’s cross was palmed away by Ederson.

Ederson raced off his line to save at the feet of Kaoru Mitoma before Pedro raced away with the goal at his mercy.

Pedro made amends for the failure as the Brazilian punished City’s woeful defending to equalize 12 minutes from time.

Mitoma had too much space for a pass to Welbeck in the penalty area.

Rico Lewis’ tackle stopped Welbeck’s shot, but Josko Gvardiol and Matheus Nunes failed to clear the danger, allowing Pedro to pounce with a close-range strike.

Guardiola slumped in his seat but there was worse to come for the City boss in the 83rd minute.

Pedro slipped his pass through City’s leaky defense and O’Riley timed his run perfectly to clip a composed finish past Ederson from 10 yards to leave the champions in turmoil.