Khusanov starting to show his true value to City

CITY were stuck in paralysis at Brighton when a quadruple change on the hour mark floored them.

- By SIMON BAJKOWSKI

With new threats and energy to suddenly contend with, the Blues panicked.

Abdukodir Khusanov mistimed a meaty challenge and was booked, then from the resulting free-kick Matheus Nunes handled in the box for a penalty.

James Milner tucked it home and City had lost their advantage.

From there it was Brighton who took the game to City, but it is worth remembering that things were level late on when Khusanov was forced off with an injury.

Dissecting the game, Guardiola made specific reference to the defender's quality as he lamented the late Brighton winner.

"We attacked in the moment and pressed really well, the clearance was short and we didn't close the gap on the side and they had fast players," he said.

Khusa can handle it because he is so fast but he had a knock and that's why he could not continue."