EPL: Man City Expect Another Brighton Challenge After Dramatic Cup Showdown

Enzo Maresca has warned Manchester City that Brighton will pose another major threat when the two teams renew their Premier League rivalry at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

The warning comes after City survived a tense League Cup encounter against the Seagulls on Wednesday, eventually winning on penalties after battling back twice to secure a 2-2 draw and advance to the quarter-finals.

Both managers made 16 changes between them for the midweek fixture, but Manchester City boss Maresca and Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler are expected to field their strongest available teams for the weekend clash.

City currently lead the Premier League table alongside defending champions Arsenal on points, with Brighton sitting third, only five points behind the top two.

Maresca believes Brighton’s recent form and attacking approach make them particularly dangerous opponents.

“They (Brighton) are in a brilliant moment,” he said. “They are winning games, they are scoring goals. They are scoring many goals every game – three, four, five, goals a game.”

The City manager added that Brighton had consistently demonstrated an aggressive style of play against their opponents.

“I’ve watched all their Premier League games since we started, and since the first day – against Arsenal, (Crystal) Palace, Liverpool, they always go front foot, man to man.

“We knew that this was a tough game and they’re going to be exactly the same on Saturday,” Maresca said.

Wednesday’s encounter saw Brighton take the lead in the 30th minute when Malick Yalcouye converted Georginio Rutter’s shot from five yards out, beating goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.

Kovacic brought City level 20 minutes later with a superb 25-yard strike that curled into the far corner. Brighton regained the advantage shortly after the restart, with Rutter finishing a cut-back from Jaouen Hadjam two minutes into the second half.

City needed another equaliser in the 72nd minute, which arrived when Vitor Reis deflected Rayan Cherki’s free-kick past the Brighton goalkeeper.

Although Kovacic failed to convert his penalty in the shoot-out, Rulli proved decisive by saving attempts from Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk, sending the holders through to the last eight.

Meanwhile, Manchester City’s campaign continues against the backdrop of their financial-rule dispute with the Premier League. The club was found guilty last month of more than 100 alleged breaches of the league’s financial regulations.

City have appealed the verdict and maintain their innocence. While a significant punishment could follow if the appeal is unsuccessful, the authorities have yet to announce any sanction.

Maresca has repeatedly voiced his full trust in the club’s hierarchy and remains determined to concentrate on results on the pitch. City will host third-tier Bradford City in the League Cup quarter-finals.

“It’s a different competition but the ambition has to be the same,” Maresca said.

The Italian, who took over from Pep Guardiola after the Spaniard left at the end of last season following a trophy-laden decade in charge, described his tenure as the beginning of a fresh chapter.

“This is a new project with new players, a new manager. It started three months ago.

“We need to do our business. That is winning games and, at the moment, we are doing that.”

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