Brighton rock Toon army

TOMER Hemed’s hooked strike denied Newcastle the chance to move fourth in the Premier League as Brighton prevailed 1-0 at the Amex Stadium.

Hemed’s second Premier League goal sealed the Seagulls’ triumph as boss Chris Hughton finally got the better of former club Newcastle.

Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho claimed goal difference was on his mind as freescoring Manchester City hit five against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

City took their goal tally for the Premier League season to 21 in just six games as they thrashed the bottom side 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium.

It was not enough to shake off Manchester United and move clear at the top of the table but it did give City an edge courtesy of a goal difference four better than their rivals.

Fernandinho said: “If you compare with last year, we created so many chances to score goals but we didn’t score. This year we just score.

“This is important because one of the things that can decide the title is goal difference, and we are on the right way.”

City had no need to bring Gabriel Jesus off the bench as they swept Palace, who are still to register a point or score a goal in the league, aside.

It was not all plain sailing for Pep Guardiola’s men as the visitors survived a flurry of chances early on and then threatened themselves with Ruben LoftusCheek hitting the post and spurning another chance.

But once the outstanding Leroy Sane showed neat control to open the scoring after 44 minutes the result was not in doubt.

Raheem Sterling struck twice after the interval and Sergio Aguero notched his 176th City goal, one short of the club record, before substitute Fabian Delph completed the rout.

Palace, who have yet to pick up a point or score in the league this season, remain bottom of the table, four points adrift of safety, after six games.

Manchester United had boss Jose Mourinho sent to the stands late on, but remain hot on the heels of their table-topping neighbours after seeing off