Pep Guardiola makes brutally honest title admission after setting unwanted Man City record

Manchester City manager suggested another team might deserve to beat them to this season's title following their defeat at .

City led at half-time against Fabian Hurzeler's side but were stung by two goals in five second half minutes. Matt O'Riley was the Seagulls' winner, coming off the bench to score the crucial goal on his Premier League debut.

It's a fourth straight defeat in all competitions for Guardiola, something which had never previously happened in his managerial career. Two of those have come in the league, against and Brighton, while and .

The defeat left City two points adrift of league leaders ahead of the Reds' evening game against Aston Villa. Two then became five as .

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"We are not able to do 90 minutes right now," Guardiola told Match of the Day. "We played a really good first half and moments in the second half. We lost again so clean our heads, international break and hopefully our players come back fit.

"We have to try and win games again. We were not able to sustain the rhythm in the second half. Four [defeats] in a row. We have to change things quick.

"The schedule becomes tough but it is going to happen when the players come back. Maybe after seven years winning six Premier Leagues, maybe one year another team deserve it. We see what happens in Liverpool against Aston Villa, we'll see."

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City have been depleted by injury in recent weeks, with Rodri's season-ending ACL tear not the only setback. Oscar Bobb has yet to play this season after suffering a broken leg, while defensive injuries prompted Guardiola to hand teenager Jahmai Simpson-Pusey a Premier League debut.

"He played really, really good today, really really good," the manager said of Simpson-Pusey. "It's not easy to play in these circumstances. He was really, really good."

Not only was it an unwanted first for Guardiola, but it was the first time City have lost four in a row since back in 2006. Stuart Pearce was the manager at the time, finishing the 2005-06 season with three straight league reverses before losing the following season's opener at .

Guardiola's team face another match against recent conquerors Spurs after the international break, followed by a meeting with Feyenoord and a huge Premier League clash against Liverpool on December 1. Arne Slot's Reds remained in pole position for the title, with Darwin Nunez scoring in the first half and making the points safe late on.

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