Pep Guardiola acknowledged the pressing need to address Manchester City's current struggles after the team suffered its fourth consecutive defeat, a first in his managerial career. In a match against Brighton, City initially took the lead with a goal from Erling Haaland in the first half. However, the game turned dramatically as substitutes João Pedro and Matt O’Riley scored to secure a remarkable comeback for Brighton. This loss followed a series of disappointing results for City, including a 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth, an exit from the EFL Cup at the hands of Tottenham, and a heavy 4-1 loss to Sporting in the Champions League. Guardiola emphasized that finding a solution to the team's issues is his responsibility, highlighting the importance of reintegrating injured players into the squad. He also expressed his belief that there are external forces wishing for City to continue their losing streak.

Rúben Amorim’s Sporting delivered a stunning performance, defeating Manchester City with a remarkable treble from Viktor Gyökeres. As Manchester City prepares for their upcoming match against Brighton, the question looms: when does a minor setback turn into a significant slump? Pep Guardiola, addressing this concern before the game, highlighted the team's impressive track record. However, with three consecutive losses for the first time since April 2018 under his management, the pressure is on to reverse this troubling trend. Just two years prior, Amorim’s Sporting faced a humiliating 5-0 defeat at the hands of City, showcasing their dominance in a display of power football. This latest match, however, marked a turning point, especially for Manchester United's new manager, who has been likened to the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson by some sections of the Red Devils' fanbase, particularly after this significant victory over their city rivals.