Brighton’s heartbreaking penalty penalty loss to Manchester City stretches the run of shootout defeats to five for the Albion. The Seagulls seemingly can’t seem to shake the unwanted feeling of heartbreak in the cruellest fashion, consistently subjecting fans to gut-wrenching pain and heartache.

The last shootout victory came against Newport County in the FA Cup third round, 1,855 days ago. Furthermore, after that win, the Seagulls would take their tally to seven wins out of nine in penalty shootouts. It’s left fans wondering what’s gone wrong. So, let’s have a look back at every time the Albion have lost on penalties since that evening in Wales.

Albion came to the King Power with quiet optimism of entering the last eight of the EFL Cup by the end of that evening. Leicester were, on paper, the better side at the time – and reflected that with an early Harvey Barnes goal to put them one up. They would continue pressing for a second, but a Shane Duffy header fell to the feet of Adam Webster – stroking it into the bottom corner.

Brighton’s lead wouldn’t last for long. Leicester would restore their lead through Ademola Lookman, who pounced on a horrific back-pass from Jeremy Sarmiento. Albion battled hard and would level 20 minutes from time, thanks to another header. A looping effort from Enock Mwepu would eventually send the game to penalties.

James Maddison would score the opener, quickly being cancelled out by Brighton’s reliable German Pascal Gross. Harvey Barnes replicated Maddison's effort before Neal Maupay clattered the crossbar from twelve yards.

Patson Daka sent Jason Steele the wrong way again, followed by Alexis Mac Allister keeping the Seagulls in with a chance. Ricardo Pereira’s goal put the pressure on Mwepu to score, but the second-half hero’s attempt was saved by Danny Ward.

Albion were back in the round of 16 a year later, this time against a significantly weaker opponent – Charlton Athletic. The game was nothing short of disappointing, with a 0-0 draw sending the game to spot kicks.

Albion got off to the worst start, with Pascal Gross’ stuttering run-up surely contributing to him slamming the post. However, Charlton’s Jayden Stockley did the same, also clipping the post and seeing the ball go wide.

Surprisingly, another penalty was missed similarly, with Leandro Trossard clattering the crossbar. It was ex-Albion midfielder Jake Forster-Caskey to be the first to score on the fourth penalty. Eav Ferguson settled Albion nerves, before Jason Steele heroically saved George Dobson’s effort to level up the tie.

Lewis Dunk wrapped a penalty into the bottom corner to put Albion ahead, whilst Jason Steele kept them ahead, saving another penalty. Solly March had the chance to win the game for Brighton but blazed his opportunity over the bar.

When Corey Blackett-Taylor levelled for Charlton, both teams would score in the first round of sudden death. However, the writing was on the wall when Moises Caicedo couldn’t convert his effort.

Albion faced their second penalty shootout in five months, this time with significantly higher stakes. A place in the FA Cup final was up for grabs, with Manchester United standing in Brighton’s way.

The first five penalties were absolutely flawless. Mac Allister and Gross would score the first two, with Deniz Undav and Pervis Estupinan also scoring some impressive spot-kicks. Casemiro, Diogo Dalot, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford would cancel these out one by one. Lewis Dunk, Marcel Sabitzer, Adam Webster and Wout Weghorst would take it to twelve perfect penalties with Solly March stepping up to take number thirteen.

March would replicate his effort from Charlton in the EFL Cup, sending the ball over the bar and eventually out of the competition. Victor Lindelof would light the Wembley arch red and condemn Brighton to their third penalty shootout loss in a row.

Yet another 0-0 draw in the cup would send the Albion to penalties once more. Like the United clash, a place at Wembley was up for grabs once more – with the winner facing eventual finalists Manchester City.

Joao Pedro coolly slotted the first penalty away, with Elliot Alderson cancelling him out. Brajan Gruda passed the ball into the bottom corner to bring Albion in front again, before Callum Hudson-Odoi comfortably brought Forest level again.

It’s at this point where the wheels fell off for Brighton, like they often do in shootouts. Jack Hinshelwood’s effort was brilliantly saved by Mats Sels, and when Neco Williams couldn’t put Forest ahead, Diego Gomez would miss again. Albion couldn’t recover, and to make matters worse, arch-rivals Crystal Palace would go on and win the entire competition two months later.

Brighton’s most recent shootout loss was only 48 hours ago against reigning EFL Cup champions, Manchester City. A place in the quarter final was up for grabs, with the Seagulls hoping not to be eliminated in the fourth round again. Brighton drew first blood thanks to a poacher’s finish from Malick Yalcouyé, swiftly cancelled out by Mateo Kovacic ten minutes later.

Brighton would go in front again with a brilliant effort from Georginio Rutter, beautifully placing the ball into the bottom corner in front of the Albion faithful. Yet again, City would draw level with a deflection off young centre back, Vitor Reis – thus sending the Seagulls to spot kicks once again.

Phil Foden was cancelled out by Gross in the first round of penalties, with Enzo Fernadez being nullified by Matt O’Riley in the second. Jeremy Doku’s strike was out of reach for Jason Steele, but Maxim De Cuyper kept the Seagulls’ quarter-final dream alive with a lovely finish into the bottom corner.

Goalscorer Mate Kovacic gave Albion hope when Steele saved his penalty, with the Seagulls only needing to score to give themselves the advantage. However, Yasin Ayari couldn’t pounce on the opportunity to send Albion ahead. Once again, after Rayan Cherki put City one up, Albion would crumble again in a shootout. Lewis Dunk’s effort was saved, and Albion were out in the fourth round.