Brighton 3-2 Manchester City: WSL leaders´ title surge stalls after surprise defeat

Manchester City’s procession to the Women’s Super League title was halted by a 3-2 defeat to Brighton at Broadfield Stadium.

Andree Jeglertz’s side, who need five more points to be crowned champions, surrendered points from a winning position for the first time this season, as the hosts came from behind to claim victory.

Aoya Fujino hit the side-netting in the opening 60 seconds as City came flying out of the blocks, before taking the lead in the fifth minute through Kerolin’s looping finish.

Khadija Shaw and Kerolin went close to doubling the lead, but Brighton dragged themselves level in first-half stoppage time, with Fran Kirby teeing up Madison Haley to fire home the equaliser.

The Seagulls completed the turnaround just after half-time, with Kiko Seike rifling into the roof of the net from a tight angle, before Haley grabbed her second to make it 3-1 in the 65th minute.

Shaw’s neat finish halved the deficit with a neat finish five minutes from time, but despite late pressure from the champions-elect, Brighton held on for a hard-earned victory.

WHAT A WIN FOR THE ALBION!pic.twitter.com/bCdoY6rJ5Y

— Brighton & Hove Albion Women (@BHAFCWomen) April 25, 2026

Data Debrief: Seagulls stop City rot as Seike makes history

City’s first dropped points from a winning position this season means Manchester United are the only remaining side in the WSL not to have let any slip.

Brighton also ripped up the form book, having failed to win any of their previous seven league games when conceding the first goal.

Both Chiamaka Nnadozie and Ayaka Yamashita made four saves as Brighton produced 1.81 expected goals (xG) from nine shots to City’s 2.15 from 17 attempts.

Seike’s goal completed the turnaround as she became the first Brighton player to score in four successive WSL appearances.