Man City 2-2 Brighton: Visitors twice come from behind to draw

It is now four points in four games for Guardiola’s side.

While any hope of retaining their title had long since disappeared, it did feel as though a partial return to form would be enough to guide them into next season’s Champions League with something to spare.

That expectation is slowly eroding even if their run-in includes meetings with Leicester City, Wolves and Southampton.

Guardiola’s extended post-match chat with Hooper underlined his unhappiness at how the game had been officiated. But he will also know Brighton were the equal of his own side, who were fortunate to escape with a point given Baleba’s terrible miss.

Presently, City lack consistency.

Last week they could not take advantage of some decent approach play. This time around, they could find the net but had no control in central midfield as Gonzalez and Ilkay Gundogan found it difficult to stem the visitors’ midfield and that allowed Brighton too much space around the penalty area.

Jeremy Doku, unfortunate to be cautioned for a dive as he was leaping out of harm’s way as Jan Paul van Hecke thundered in, flattered to deceive on the left. Savinho did not even do that on the right once he had wasted an excellent first-half chance.

Despite this, Jack Grealish remained on the bench throughout. Omitted by new England boss Thomas Tuchel on Friday, Grealish really is at a crossroads in his career as the campaign draws to a close.