Brighton & Hove Albion produce stunning comeback to shock WSL leaders Manchester City - 'Wasn't part of the plan'

City had taken the lead in the fifth minute as they looked primed to continue their romp to the Women's Super League crown.

But a brace from Madison Haley sandwiched a goal from Kiko Seike as Brighton came roaring back to lead 3-1 against the table-toppers.

Khadija Shaw did pull a goal back in the 86th minute to set up a nervy finale, but the home side were able to hold onto a momentous victory.

The defeat means City might need to take maximum points from their final two WSL fixtures to guarantee winning the title, unless Arsenal stutter in any of their three games in hand. Brighton, meanwhile, remain in sixth.

City captain Alex Greenwood said afterwards that the defeat "wasn't part of the plan." She told Sky Sports: "This is a really good side - we knew it was going to be a tough game here. The first half we had the better chances for sure and we probably should have been further ahead than we were.

"We let them back into the game just before half-time, which was quite disappointing, and then we missed the small details in the second half and let the game get away from us. While it is still in our hands, we need to stay really positive and look forward to next week. Two cup finals, two wins, that's the mentality moving forward.

"Now it's about mentality and who's got it in them to stand up when it's tough. I've got no doubt when I look around the dressing room, the club and the staff. We need to move on and look forward to next week and a massive game against Liverpool."

City are seeking their first WSL title since 2016 and Andree Jeglertz's side have a nine-point cushion over second-placed Chelsea. However, Arsenal have played three games fewer than City and trail by 11 points, meaning wins in those three games in hand would put them within touching distance of City.

"I'm not worried. You learn a lot in these games and I am fully sure that when we are back in training, we will be focused for Liverpool next week," Jeglertz told Sky Sports.

"It is still in our hands. We will do everything we can to finish off with two wins."

With City looking to close out the title, they host Liverpool in their penultimate match on May 3 before travelling to West Ham United on the final day of the season on May 16.

For Brighton, it has been a largely successful campaign. They are into the Adobe Women's FA Cup semi-finals thanks to a shock victory away at Arsenal in the quarter-finals.

But after the game, Brighton forward Fran Kirby gave a frank assessment of her team's performance, describing their first-half display as "awful."

"We didn't make it easy for ourselves. In the first half we were, if I can be quite blunt, awful," Kirby told Sky Sports. "We were lucky not to be 3-0 or 4-0 down at one point. But we had the belief in the squad and the second half was a really good performance from everyone. We are happy to keep the title race going for a little bit longer.

"I wasn't keeping calm myself. Look, I just want to help the girls as much as I can and sometimes I get a bit hot-headed as everyone does. Today is a massive step forward for us and takes us another step further."

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