Maresca's 7-Game Winning Streak Ends

Maresca's 7-game winning streak snapped when City fell 1-0 to Aston Villa on Sunday. The next day, a 1-0 loss to Brighton gave the team back-to-back defeats for the first time in 14 months. Maresca called the goals 'silly' and blamed individual mistakes, with Nunes and Donnarumma each letting in winners. The defense has already conceded 10 goals in nine league games, double the amount Arteta's side has allowed. Only one clean sheet in the past eight matches shows the back-line is still wobbling. Meanwhile, the midfield shuffle after a £327m summer, featuring Enzo Fernandez, Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi, hasn't settled. Offensively, City scored 20 goals in nine league games but went 23 top-flight matches without a goal after Brighton. They still top the table but could be overtaken by Arsenal if the Gunners win at Liverpool Sunday. Maresca's next challenge is a Champions League tie against RB Leipzig on Wednesday, hoping to regain winning momentum.