Madison Haley delivered a brace as Brighton rallied from an early deficit to hand Manchester City a surprising 3-2 defeat in the Women's Super League. The match began with City taking the initiative, and they soon broke the deadlock when Kerolin slipped a precise through‑ball that found the back of the net.
Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances in the first half, City’s advantage was short‑lived. In stoppage time before the break, American forward Haley equalised, restoring parity and shifting the momentum in Brighton's favour.
The second half opened with renewed vigor from the Seagulls. Kiko Seike, who had been a constant threat throughout the game, seized the moment shortly after the restart and put Brighton ahead.
Her goal gave the home side a vital psychological edge and forced City to chase the game once more. Not to be outdone, Haley struck again, this time finding the net with a clinical finish that re‑established the level scoreline and underscored her impact on the encounter.
Manchester City, still chasing their first WSL title since 2016, were left reeling as the clock ticked down. Their hopes of narrowing the gap to league leaders Arsenal were further dented, as they now require five points from the remaining two fixtures while Arsenal sit three points ahead with three games in hand. The loss marked City’s third league defeat of the campaign, a setback that will force the squad to regroup quickly.
In post‑match comments, City manager Andree Jeglertz addressed the disappointment. "It was a tough game but it is about scoring goals.
We created a lot of chances in the first half and we needed to score. On the other hand, we need to protect our penalty box a little better," she told Sky Sports. Jeglertz emphasized the importance of learning from the experience, noting that the team had dropped concentration at crucial moments: "I told the players it is so important that during the 90 minutes, we are really focused in all situations. Today we dropped a couple of percentages in some moments and we were punished." City captain Alex Greenwood echoed the manager’s sentiments, acknowledging that the result was not part of their plan.
"The first half we had the better chances for sure and we probably should have been further ahead than we were. We let them back into the game just before half‑time which was quite disappointing and then we missed the small details in the second half and let the game get away from us," she said. Greenwood remained optimistic, stressing the need to stay positive and focus on upcoming challenges, including two cup finals and a crucial league match against Liverpool.
Brighton's player of the match, Madison Haley, reflected on the team's performance and the significance of her goals. "For us it was more about tightening up.
We knew what the game plan was, we were just not executing it in the first half, but we had moments. Getting the goal right before half‑time was important for us, but it was more building on the things that were breaking down in the first half in the second," Haley explained.
She praised her teammates for their hard work and resilience: "Credit to the girls working hard. They put pressure on us in the final minutes but we stayed together and got three points." Haley also highlighted the progress Brighton has made over the season.
"At the beginning of this year the performances were there but unfortunately we weren't getting the results. We knew if we kept playing and doing the right things the result would come good. We are seeing the fruits of our labour now," she said.
Looking ahead, she expressed confidence that the team’s upcoming fixtures, though challenging, will serve as valuable preparation for a potential Wembley final: "We have some really big games coming up, some really hard games, but we are looking to get to Wembley and all of these games are preparations for us to try to get into that final." The match also highlighted the fine margins that can decide outcomes in elite women's football. While City enjoyed periods of dominance, their defensive lapses and inability to convert chances proved costly.
Brighton, on the other hand, capitalised on their opportunities and displayed a never‑say‑die attitude that ultimately secured the victory. Looking forward, Manchester City must regroup quickly. With only two games left, they need a maximum of five points to keep title hopes alive, while Arsenal continue to press their advantage with three matches pending.
The upcoming clash with Liverpool will be a decisive test of City’s resolve and their capacity to bounce back from this setback. For Brighton, the win serves as a statement of intent.
It demonstrates that they can compete with, and defeat, the league’s heavyweights. The confidence gained from overcoming a title‑chasing side will be invaluable as they approach the final stretch of the season, where every point matters in the race for European qualification. Both managers stressed the importance of staying focused on the remaining fixtures.
Jeglertz concluded, "We are following the other results and it is still in our hands. We will do everything we can to finish off with two wins." Meanwhile, Brighton’s coaching staff will look to build on the tactical discipline and attacking flair displayed by Haley and her teammates, aiming to maintain momentum as they chase their own ambitions in the league. The match, broadcast with a video player that performs best on Chrome browsers, offered fans a thrilling contest and underscored the growing competitiveness of the Women's Super League.
As the season draws to a close, the narrative surrounding both clubs will hinge on how they respond to this pivotal encounter.