PLAYER RATINGS
KASPER SCHMEICHEL: Made an important save to deny Welbeck with an outstretched leg 10 minutes in. It could have been a totally different game if not for that stop. After City took the lead, he was hardly troubled.
8/10
WESLEY FOFANA: Stepped out of the defence well to break up attacks, and got up to nod away crosses. Showed his confidence in the second half as he pushed forward and made runs up the pitch.
8/10
JONNY EVANS: Yet again, he was a rock. He intercepted passes on the edge of his own box, was strong in the tackle and passed well. The only downside was his yellow card which means he is suspended for tomorrow’s game. 8/10
CHRISTIAN FUCHS: After some iffy performances at the end of last month, Fuchs barely put a foot wrong. He showed strength and awareness to keep things tight at the back, while he looked comfortable on the ball when pushed out to left-back.
MARC ALBRIGHTON: He enjoyed an electric first five minutes when he was beating men for fun as he dashed around the pitch. Kept up that energy, and played a brilliant crossfield pass to start the move for the sublime second goal. His best game in a while.
8/10
WILFRED NDIDI: Back to doing what he loves: tackling and intercepting. He is not quite at peak Ndidi, using those telescopic legs to cut out attacks at source, but he’s getting there. Played a great pass to Justin in the first half too. 7/10
Got through a tremendous amount of work to run up and down for 90 minutes, helping Ndidi out with defensive midfield work and also ensuring to get on the ball to make things tick. Sliced Brighton apart with a delightful pass that led to Vardy’s chance against the post.
YOURI TIELEMANS: 8/10 7/10
Eighteen months ago he was a League One player, but he is by no means out of his depth in the top flight. The full-back produced an outstanding display, using his energy to torment Brighton, and creating a hatful of chances with pinpoint crosses and cut-backs. 9/10
JAMES JUSTIN:
AYOZE PEREZ: Denied a second goal in as many games thanks to Ryan’s superb stop, but linked play very well with Maddison and Justin, and picked up some good positions. Was shrugged off the ball too easily in the second half, though. 7/10
JAMES MADDISON: His first brace in City colours, and it showcased all of his qualities. The first, he showed awareness and timing to meet the ball where it landed on the edge of the box, while the second was the number 10 at his best, shifting his weight and then bending brilliantly into the top corner. 9/10
JAMIE VARDY: A quieter night for the City talisman and yet he still got the goal to put himself inside the Premier League’s all-time top 20 goalscorers. That goal showed his instinct, while his link-up was pretty good too. 7/10