Pep Guardiola lamented more Manchester City injuries as his Premier League champions stumbled again in the race for Champions League qualification. They were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Brighton, who twice came from behind to claim their first ever point at the Etihad.
City played the game without first-choice goalkeeper Ederson, who picked up some abdominal problems in the defeat at Nottingham Forest and was unable to make the squad at the Etihad. Stefan Ortega watched in horror as a free-kick from Pervis Estupinan in the first half that he was waiting to fall wide of his post instead struck it and went into the back of the net.
Bernardo Silva came off the bench in the second half for the wasteful Savinho, who was on a yellow card. The Portugal international made a positive impact on the game but only lasted 20 minutes before having to be replaced himself by Phil Foden.
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It was a slow limp round the pitch for Silva with his teammates unable to find a way past Brighton to produce a draw that leaves City fifth in the league with nine games to go and Brighton one of a number of teams that are close to overtaking them. Guardiola was pleased with the improvement in his team from their defeat at Forest last week but believes injuries are making it tougher.
"I know it will be difficult - Bernardo today and Ederson is injured again," he said "He had something abdominal. Niggles. he had a problem at Forest. I hope [he will be back after international break].
On Silva, he added to BBC Sport: "I was seeing Bernardo couldn't walk properly. Don't take a risk."
