It's been nine years since Manchester City last travelled to Brighton. The two sides met in the 2008-09 League Cup, roughly three weeks after the takeover by Sheikh Mansour, at a time when there were two divisions between them. Premier League City conspired to lose 5-3 on penalties, after a 2-2 draw at the end of extra time with League One Brighton.
City were woeful on the road that season and that match set the tone for what would be a year of frustrating performances, as then-manager Mark Hughes struggled to get to grips with the job. His team were on top but created little of note before being punished by the plucky underdog.