Madison Haley delivered a standout performance by finding the back of the net twice, helping Brighton overturn an early deficit to defeat title‑chasing Manchester City 3-2 in a thrilling Women's Super League encounter. The match began with City asserting their dominance, creating several early chances and taking the lead through a well‑timed through ball that was converted by Kerolin. However, despite the pressure from the home side, the Americans forward Haley managed to equalise during first‑half stoppage time, capitalising on a lapse in the City defence.
The momentum shifted dramatically after the interval when Brighton’s midfielder Kiko Seike struck a powerful shot that put the visitors ahead. Seike’s goal not only restored Brighton’s confidence but also forced City to chase the game once more. Haley, determined to make an impact, responded swiftly with her second goal, restoring parity and setting up a tense finish.
In the closing stages, Manchester City’s prolific striker Khadija Shaw pulled one back, reducing the deficit to a single goal and setting the stage for a dramatic climax. Nevertheless, Brighton held firm, securing a 3-2 victory that marked City’s third league loss of the campaign.
Andree Jeglertz’s side entered the match hoping to close the gap on the league title, which they have not won since 2016. Yet, with third‑placed Arsenal holding three games in hand, City still require five points from their final two fixtures to keep their championship aspirations alive.
The defeat underscores the fine margins in a tightly contested title race and highlights the importance of consistency in the latter stages of the season. In post‑match comments, Manchester City manager Andree Jeglertz spoke candidly to Sky Sports, acknowledging the difficulty of the game and the need for a sharper defensive approach. "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," Jeglertz said. He emphasised the importance of learning from the setback, noting that the team had dropped percentages at crucial moments, which ultimately led to their punishment on the scoreboard.
"It’s important we learn from this game. 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," he added. City captain Alex Greenwood echoed similar sentiments, expressing disappointment at the missed opportunities and the defensive lapses that allowed Brighton back into the contest just before halftime. "It wasn’t part of the plan.
This is a really good side – we knew it was going to be a tough game here. 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," Greenwood explained. He remained optimistic about the future, stressing the need to stay positive and focus on the upcoming fixtures, including two cup finals. "While it is still in our hands, we need to stay really positive and look forward to next week.
Two cup finals, two wins, that’s the mentality moving forward," she concluded. Brighton’s forward and player of the match Madison Haley reflected on the team’s performance, highlighting the importance of execution and resilience.
"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 said. She praised her teammates for their hard work and tenacity, especially during the final minutes when City pressed hard for an equaliser.
"Credit to the girls working hard. They put pressure on us in the final minutes but we stayed together and got three points," she added. Haley also reflected on Brighton’s season trajectory, noting that early‑year performances had shown promise but had not translated into results. "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 explained.
Looking ahead, Haley expressed confidence that the team’s hard work would pay off in upcoming high‑stakes matches, including 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," she said. The victory not only boosts Brighton’s confidence but also serves as a reminder to Manchester City that the title race remains open and that every point is crucial. With Arsenal still holding a points advantage and a few games remaining, both teams will need to maintain focus, execute their game plans, and manage the pressure of a tightly contested league.
The result also adds intrigue to the final weeks of the Women's Super League, where a single slip could dramatically alter the championship landscape. Fans are encouraged to watch the highlights of the match, which showcase the key moments, goals, and tactical battles that defined the game. The clash highlighted the growing competitiveness of the league and the increasing quality of women's football in England, promising an exciting finish to the season for supporters across the country.