Manchester City's early-season form has hit a snag, with the team suffering a second consecutive Premier League defeat. This recent setback raises concerns about vulnerabilities within Pep Guardiola's squad. After a 2-0 home loss to Tottenham, City collapsed to a 2-1 defeat at Brighton.

Erling Haaland, in his 100th Premier League appearance, scored his 88th goal, but it wasn't enough to secure a win. City dominated the first half, but Brighton fought back, with James Milner, a former City player, equalizing with a penalty. Brajan Gruda then sealed the victory for Brighton with a late goal.

Rodri, returning to the Premier League lineup after recovering from a knee injury, expressed his concern, stating that the team is "not at the level from a long time (ago)". He had also started a Club World Cup match in the summer. City's vulnerabilities were exposed as Brighton exploited their weaknesses, leading to Gruda's winning goal.

The defeat against Brighton mirrored City's struggles last season, where they surrendered the title to Liverpool after four consecutive years as champions. This raises questions about whether City can maintain their dominance this season or if other teams have closed the gap.

Several factors contributed to City's defeat. Haaland missed early chances, and Brighton's goalkeeper, Bart Verbruggen, made some crucial saves. City's defense also looked shaky, with Matheus Nunes conceding a penalty after a handball. Brighton's tactical changes in the second half also proved effective, as they gained control of the game and created more scoring opportunities.

Despite the defeat, there were some positive performances for City. Oscar Bobb caused problems for the Brighton defense, and Omar Marmoush provided the assist for Haaland's goal. However, City needs more consistent performances from their key players if they want to bounce back from this recent slump.

City's recent struggles highlight the importance of addressing their vulnerabilities and finding solutions to regain their form. With a challenging season ahead, Guardiola will need to find ways to motivate his players and ensure they are performing at their best. The return of key players from injury will also be crucial, as City needs a full squad to compete on all fronts.

The consecutive defeats serve as a wake-up call for Manchester City. It remains to be seen how they will respond to this challenge and whether they can overcome their vulnerabilities to reclaim their position as the top team in the Premier League.