HANGING TOUGH AT TOP

Champions refuse to buckle in fierce title battle as second-half blast knocks Liverpool off summit

AS Kevin De Bruyne made his way from the pitch just under 10 minutes from time, Pep Guardiola raised his hands above his head and applauded vigorously.

It was, of course, in acknowledgement of another key performance from Manchester City’s best player, but it was also a sign of Guardiola’s relief.

De Bruyne (left, with Guardiola) had just set up Bernardo Silva for City’s third, the result was beyond any doubt, and the scoreline had an emphatic look that did not accurately reflect the overall City performance.

Pep had thrown bottles in frustration, had huffed, had puffed, just like his team, but had eventually got there, just like his team.

After Bernardo had added to deflected strikes from Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden, this ended up as a comfortable win but, make no mistake, this is just the beginning of a nervous finale.

And the respective fanbases could yet play their part.

OK, it was hardly a fixture steeped in any sort of rivalry or animosity but the atmosphere inside the Etihad was the silent, polar opposite of the one at Anfield the previous night. The crowd as a 12th man might be sentimental nonsense but try telling that to Kop boss

Jurgen Klopp.

Reluctantly, every Premier League manager, including Guardiola, would tell you that the atmosphere generated by the Liverpool crowd is an asset. But perhaps the low-key hum that was a soundtrack to this match was mainly a product of anxiety. Failing to beat Liverpool after being the better side in the league match here and then being turned over by Klopp’s team in the FA Cup must have been blows to City confidence.

Then they had to watch their big rivals thump Manchester United in a fashion that suggests they are not going to drop any points between now and the end of the season. That cranks up the pressure and is why City nervously made very little of a series of semichances in the first half.

Mahrez was the main culprit,

dwelling far too long on an early opportunity presented by Robert Sanchez’s mishit clearance.

Brighton looked a little more likely to score during a period of dominance before the break. It was a spell that left Guardiola a pensive figure as he headed into the dressing room but his half-time message seemed to have little effect.

What they needed was a touch of fortune and what they got was a raft of good fortune in one scoring move. The crucial runs were from De Bruyne and scorer Mahrez but, essentially, the goal was one ricochet after another.

Still, it was probably fitting that De Bruyne, City’s most creative player this season, set up Mahrez, City’s most dangerous player this season. It was, however, Lady Luck who really stepped up to the plate for City in their hour of need.

Foden had one of his worst games for some time and miscuing a shot from distance looked as though it would sum up his night.

However, it was so wayward that Enock Mwepu could not get out of the way and the significant diversion took City’s second beyond Sanchez. But they all count and Guardiola would happily deflect his way to the title.

And if they do not rediscover their best form, City might just have to.