Ex-MK Dons midfielder O'Riley scores winner over Man City on Premier League debut

Matt O’Riley made a stunning start to his career in the Premier League by scoring the winner for Brighton in a 2-1 win over Manchester City.

The Danish midfielder made a £25 million summer move to the south coast from Celtic, who he departed Milton Keynes for in 2022. Scoring 10 goals in 54 appearances for MK Dons during his year at the club, he wowed north of the border, earning him a move back to England.

His career at Brighton could not have gotten off to a worse start though, suffering a lengthy injury in his debut in the Carabao Cup against Crawley - then managed by now Dons boss Scott Lindsey - ruling him out since the end of August.

Replacing Jack Hinsehelwood on 57 minutes, O’Riley marked his return in style as Brighton overturned Erling Haaland’s first-half strike for the champions, equalising through Joao Pedro on 78 minutes before O’Riley’s excellent finish with seven minutes to go.

“It’s been strange in a way, but it’s just nice being back playing football,” said O’Riley afterwards. “It wasn’t the start I hoped for, but I stayed positive throughout my rehab, controlled the things I could control and here I am. It’s really nice.

“I can’t ask for a better Premier League debut, especially after the debut against Crawley.

“The manager told me to go and play in the pocket, and I think I gave us a bit more joy. And we got a lot of success from it.

“I tried to make the run, and sometimes if you keep making that run, you get on the end of it. I was just lucky to be there.”