Man City's injury list...

Ruben Dias (muscle) - expected back November 23

John Stones (muscle) - expected back November 23

Jack Grealish (unspecified injury) - expected back November 23

Rodri (knee) - out for remainder of season

Oscar Bobb (leg) - expected back in January

Manchester City have lost three consecutive games in a season for the first time since April 2018 following Tuesday's 4-1 Champions League reverse against Sporting.

The defeat is City's worst since a 5-2 thrashing by Leicester four years ago. It is only the third time a Pep Guardiola team has shipped four goals in a Champions League game.

Bernardo Silva said afterwards that City are in a "dark place" - but what are the issues they face, with a tricky looking game against Brighton on the horizon? Are fans right to be worried? And what do the stats say about their performances?

Injury struggles continue

Guardiola warned ahead of the defeat at Sporting that Man City would struggle to overcome their mounting injury list.

"We know we will struggle and we have to accept that, and it is fine," he said. "The games will be difficult; in previous seasons it was smooth. Personal reasons, injuries, we won six Premier Leagues in seven years. Things change, we have to accept that."

Guardiola handed a first senior start to defender Jahmai Simpson-Pusey in Lisbon to underline the issues he has, particularly at centre-back, where Ruben Dias and John Stones are out injured.

Jack Grealish is also still out and add in the long-term injuries to Ballon d'Or winner Rodri and Oscar Bobb, and Man City's resources are heavily depleted.

Manuel Akanji was fit enough to start against Sporting but has had injury niggles of his own, while Nathan Ake was an unused substitute. Rico Lewis deputised again for Kyle Walker, who was only fit enough to be named on the bench.

A positive was the sight of Kevin De Bruyne back on the pitch but the Belgium international was only called upon for the final six minutes of the heavy defeat, while Jeremy Doku also got minutes from the bench.

It's not totally clear who Guardiola will have back for Saturday's trip to Brighton, but Guardiola is searching for solutions as City look to avoid a fourth straight defeat.

"It happened in my first year," he said. "Sometimes it does. I have to try to find an explanation but sometimes it's just football, so you have to accept it. Sport is that. Life is that.

"Sometimes we have bad moments but we face the reality. Everyone has to try to be better and we will find it. We are still alive in all competitions and we continue."