Manchester City’s hopes of securing a Champions League spot next season took a hit after they squandered a lead twice, drawing 2-2 with Brighton on Saturday.

Despite goals from Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush, City failed to hold onto their advantage, with Brighton responding through Pervis Estupinan’s free-kick and an own goal from Abdukodir Khusanov.

City’s draw left them in fifth place, just one point ahead of Brighton, who extended their unbeaten run to seven matches.

Following the disappointing 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend, City manager Pep Guardiola had emphasized the importance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League as a “big success,” after a challenging campaign that included an early exit from Europe’s top competition at the hands of Real Madrid.

Marmoush, who was restored to the starting lineup, played a pivotal role in City’s attacking play.

He earned the penalty that allowed Haaland to score his 29th goal of the season. However, Brighton leveled just 10 minutes later when Estupinan curled a free-kick past City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.

Marmoush responded with a powerful long-range strike to restore City’s lead before halftime.

But Brighton found another equalizer just three minutes into the second half when Jack Hinshelwood’s shot was deflected into the net by Khusanov.

City pushed for a winner but saw Nico Gonzalez’s effort hit the post, and the match ended in a draw.

The point keeps City in contention for a top-five finish, which would guarantee a Champions League spot, given English clubs’ strong performances in Europe.

In contrast, third-placed Nottingham Forest continued their impressive push for European qualification with a resounding 4-2 win over Ipswich.

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The victory moves them within a point of second-placed Arsenal, while extending their lead over City to six points.

Forest made light work of Ipswich, scoring three goals in a six-minute spell in the first half.

Nikola Milenkovic opened the scoring with a powerful strike, and Anthony Elanga added two more, the first coming after a quick Forest counter-attack and the second following a defensive error from Ipswich.

Jens Cajuste and George Hirst scored late goals for Ipswich, but they were mere consolations.

Forest’s dominant performance saw them maintain a strong position in the race for a Champions League spot, while Ipswich’s battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League took another blow.

Wolves also strengthened their survival hopes with a 2-1 win over Southampton, pulling nine points clear of the relegation zone.

Jorgen Strand Larsen took center stage, scoring both goals for Wolves, the first with a header from a Jean-Ricner Bellegarde cross and the second in the second half.

Southampton’s Paul Onuachu pulled a goal back, but the Saints remain on track to finish with the lowest points total in Premier League history.

In a crucial relegation battle, Everton extended their unbeaten run to nine matches, drawing 1-1 against West Ham at Goodison Park.

Tomas Soucek gave West Ham the lead, but Jake O’Brien’s last-minute equalizer earned a point for the hosts.

Both teams now sit on 34 points, 17 clear of the relegation zone, in a precarious position with several matches remaining.

Reported by Punch