Blues have been calling for this £325m midfield trio since they walked through the door in the summer, and particularly since those 45 minutes against Paris Saint-Germain that was arguably the most thrilling half the team have managed under Maresca. It isn't anything against Rayan Cherki or Phil Foden, but Ayyoub Bouaddi, Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernandez was seen as the trio needed for the best opponents.

Be careful what you wish for though, because City looked a mess at the start with those three in the middle. Bouaddi and Fernandez were charging about high, both getting in the way of each other and neither helping Anderson to contain a Brighton side that overran them in the early stages.

The visitors took full advantage - although they were also helped by a howling error from Matheus Nunes, who allowed a cross to hit Maxim De Cuyper and bounce back to the middle of the goal, where Yasin Ayari was unmarked to smash in. Another game, another defensive mistake that made the game harder for City.

Maresca threw his arms up in the air in frustration and Haaland had that look for most of the half, even if City improved. Iliman Ndiaye missed an excellent chance, Jeremy Doku's final ball wasn't good enough again and the Norwegian himself could have done better with a few opportunities.

City went closer after Maresca brought a premature end to the prized midfield, with Cherki electrifying the City attack from the 55th minute. Ndiaye and Nunes both drew good saves from Bart Verbruggen as City pushed hard for an equaliser.

Brighton still offered a threat on the counter, yet it was City who knocked on Verbruggen's door again and again. They ended the game with 21 shots to Brighton's seven and 1.92 expected goals, but ultimately weren't good enough to score after not being good enough to keep Brighton out early on.

Every team can have one of those days. City can't afford to have them regularly.