Report and reaction as Albion hold Manchester City

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Pervis Estupinan and an own goal earn Seagulls a 2-2 draw at the Etihad to make it seven games unbeaten.

Bruce Talbot

2025-03-15T17:00+00:00

Sliding in: Jack Hinshelwood celebrates in front of 3,000 Albion fans after making it 2-2. 📷 James Boardman.

Albion's outstanding form continued as they twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with the champions.

Both sides played their part in a thoroughly entertaining game and Albion had chances to win it.

City had led through Erling Haaland's early penalty and Omar Marmoush's strike but Pervis Estupinan smashed in a thumping free-kick from 20 yards and it was after his corner that Jack Hinshelwood's close-range shot early in the second half went in off a defender.

Although City hit the post late on Albion had chances to win it too with Carlos Baleba skying a golden opportunity in the closing stages.

Kaoru Mitoma was making his 100th Albion appearance and thought he’d celebrated with a sixth-minute goal when he challenged Stefan Ortega for Hinshelwood’s cross. The ball went in off Mitoma’s back but the VAR James Bell ruled Mitoma headed the ball out of the City keeper’s hands.

Yankuba Minteh pulls the ball back into the danger area. 📷 James Boardman.

Three minutes later City went in front. There was no doubt that Adam Webster brought down Marmoush when he cut inside but Albion thought Joao Pedro was fouled in the build-up. Haaland sent Verbruggen the wrong way from the spot – his 100th Premier League goal involvement.

But Albion weren’t fazed. With Diego Gomez driving them forward from midfield they were level in the 21st minute. Ruben Dias brought down Georginio Rutter 20 yards from goal and Estupinan’s powerfully struck free kick went in off the inside of the left-hand post.

Pervis Estupinan finds the net with this superb free-kick. 📷 James Boardman.

It became a great watch as the teams traded blows and it was City who regained the lead. Rutter was dispossessed in midfield, the ball was worked to Marmoush 25 yards out and his shot fizzed into the bottom right-hand corner. Even then Albion were inches away from equalising before the break but Joao’s right-foot shot brushed the outside of the right-hand post.

However, it took Albion just three minutes to draw level. Webster met Estupinan’s corner with a header and Hinshelwood was quickest to react in the six-yard box, firing in on the turn with Abdukodir Khusanov’s deflection taking it past Ortega.

Diego Gomez celebrates with Pervis Estupinan after the defender made it 1-1. 📷 James Boardman.

Mitoma met Carlos Baleba’s diagonal ball with a volley but Ortega made a good save before City had a strong spell, which ended with Nico hitting the post from a free header. Albion broke and Mitoma’s pass slipped Hinshelwood but he hit the side netting.

Then came the chance for Albion. Danny Welbeck and Joao combined down the left and when the Brazilian pulled it back Baleba was unmarked 12 yards out but skied his right-foot shot over the bar.

That was that. A point apiece leaving both teams still on course for European football next season.

It's 2-2 at the Etihad as Jack Hinshelwood and Georginio Rutter celebrate. 📷 James Boardman.

The line-up

Verbruggen, Hinshelwood, Webster, van Hecke, Estupinan, Mitoma (Adingra 80), Baleba (Wieffer 80), Gomez (Ayari 75), Minteh (Gruda 80), Rutter (Welbeck 75), Joao Pedro.

Subs not used: Rushworth, Cashin, Slater, Knight.

Referee: S. Hooper

Fabian Hurzeler greets Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola before kick-off at the Etihad. 📷 James Boardman.

Fabian Hurzeler's reflections...

"I just came from the locker room and it was a very disappointing feeling because I think we deserved to win. We had big, big chances, especially in the second half. We dominated the game in our way, in our style, and therefore I'm happy with the performance.

"You have to accept the result, but I always want to focus on the performance and I saw a lot of positive things today. So it's good to be disappointed, and we should keep focusing on the performance.

"We had the chances but we were not clean enough. We were not calm enough in the opponent's box. So we have to learn from these things. In the first half we gave two easy goals away so we have to do that better next time.

"This group is always together, and I felt it from the first day. We need to understand what effort you need to win Premier League games, and it is by doing the basic things right - trying to outwork, outrun the opponent, sprinting more and doing the basic things right. We have to keep pushing.

"We have to keep pushing after the international break. We have to focus on the little percentages, on the little margins, because in the end the little margins decide in the Premier League if you win a game or not.

"I hope our players come back mentally and physically in a strong shape, ready with the determination to go again in the last weeks of the season."