Manchester, 08 January (H.S.): Manchester City settled for a third consecutive Premier League draw on Thursday, grinding out a 1-1 stalemate against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Etihad Stadium late Wednesday. Erling Haaland converted a penalty for City, but Kaoru Mitoma's second-half equalizer rescued a point for the visitors.This result leaves City on 43 points in second place, trailing leaders Arsenal by five points ahead of Arsenal's Thursday clash with Liverpool.
Haaland struck four minutes before halftime—his 150th goal for City and 20th in this Premier League campaign—ending a three-game drought after VAR upheld a penalty when Jeremy Doku was fouled by Diego Gómez. City nearly doubled the lead early in the second half, only for Bernardo Silva's shot to cannon off the post.
Tensions flared between City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Brighton's Maxim De Cuyper, earning both yellow cards.Mitoma leveled in the 60th minute, controlling a flank pass at the box's edge before rifling a low drive into the far corner, wresting control as Brighton threatened to snatch victory—another Mitoma effort striking the woodwork.Haaland spurned a golden chance late on, denied by Bart Verbruggen's brilliant save.
Semenyo Bids Stylish Adieu
Antoine Semenyo marked his 26th birthday memorably on stoppage time, curling a right-footed rocket past Guglielmo Vicario to gift Bournemouth a thrilling 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur—likely his final match before a rumored Manchester City move.
Celebrations erupted post-goal, with Semenyo earning a standing ovation upon substitution—his 30th Premier League strike in 101 Bournemouth appearances.
Teammate Marcus Tavernier hailed it as a cinematic moment; no one deserved it more.
Manager Andoni Iraola hinted at Semenyo's potential exit while praising his commitment: What he delivered until the final second is commendable. Football gifted him a beautiful moment. The victory snapped Bournemouth's 11-game winless league streak.
Bournemouth trailed early to Mathys Tel's opener but roared back before halftime through Evanilson and Junior Kroupi. João Palhinha's stunning overhead kick restored parity for Spurs, only for Semenyo to clinch it. Tottenham manager Thomas Frank faces mounting pressure, languishing 14th.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
