Brighton and Hove Albion terrify Manchester City at the Etihad in a nerve-racking Halloween night game. Does anyone have anything left after that?

One for the Albion history books: a first-ever win at the Etihad, leaving the Seagulls just two points off the top of the Premier League table. Sometimes even I struggle to believe what I am writing about this football club in 2026. 

A satisfying win, and one that Albion's defenders will take into the rest of the season. Albion have always been the side to struggle with sitting deep in a low block, while having moments of luck that go their way. 

Albion's goal came in the form of an early strike from Yasin Ayari. The Swede put his wrongs to rights after the midweek disappointment, and so did Lewis Dunk! Ayari's goal came from a collective of long balls heading up to the City box.

Maxim De Cuyper's cross bobbled back into his path before he slotted away calmly. 

Since that was just 11 minutes into the game, Albion had a long way to go to keep the scoreline as it was. 

Man City dominated the lion's share of chances from that point onwards, and the Seagulls opted to park the bus. Good opportunities in the first half, but couldn't make it count. 

Heading into the second half, the pressure remained. City continued to get very close, with a bombardment of opportunities coming from Albion's left side.  

Hats off to Bart Verbruggen, who was nothing short of exceptional this afternoon. Big saves after big saves, the Dutch goalkeeper kept out a hatful of goals from the likes of Illiman Ndiaye and Erling Haaland. 

Albion switched Olivier Boscagli for Joaen Hadjam, and it felt as though the game changed again. Hadjam won everything, putting his body on the line and using neat footwork to add stability to Albion's left flank.

The introductions of Malick Yalcouyé and Georginio Rutter were just as effective, as the duo broke up play and offered both an outlet and relentless ball-winning. 

These types of wins are strangely more satisfying to Albion fans than those when we play teams off the park for a variety of reasons, but not least overcoming the burden of feeling like bottlers.

Every year, every game, every time we are reminded of how we struggle to see out leads and have issues with our mentality, but something is incredibly different this year. 

The celebrations at full time were everything: togetherness on display and sheer passion, with everyone aligned to chase the same dream. Albion want to compete at the top end of the table, and winning games at Manchester City and beating the champions at Arsenal are excellent ways to set a standard. 

Overall, the lucky stars can be counted as a source of pride and security, knowing that they were hard-earned. Who remembers how good the victory over Sunderland felt earlier in the season?