Champions keep up the pressure on Arsenal after stroll at seaside
4
Brighton Manchester City
0
MANCHESTER CITY closed the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to a point after Phil Foden’s first-half double helped inspire a resounding victory over Brighton.
Kevin De Bruyne’s eye-catching diving header set Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions on course for a comprehensive success at a soggy
Amex Stadium.
City, who have a game in hand on the table-topping Gunners, were in complete control by the break as Foden moved past 50 top-flight goals with a quick-fire brace, before Julian Alvarez completed the rout.
Roberto De Zerbi’s 11th-placed hosts could have few complaints about their winless run stretching to five games as City deservedly leapfrogged Liverpool into second and moved within touching distance of Arsenal, while giving their goal difference a timely boost.
The visitors eased their way into the contest before edging ahead in the 17th minute thanks to a moment of magic. Kyle Walker was released down the right by Foden and his cross was superbly headed into the top right corner from level with the penalty spot by the flying De Bruyne.
The Seagulls slipped further behind in contentious circumstances in the 26th minute. Home fans were angered by referee Jarred Gillett’s decision to award City a free-kick on the edge of the box and Foden, who appeared to slip before hitting the deck, duly fired home a landmark strike with the aid of a hefty deflection off Pascal Gross.
The home side’s risky attempts to play
out from the back were seized on by City on 34 minutes and, after Bernardo Silva intercepted a pass from full Premier League debutant Valentin Barco on the edge of the hosts’ penalty area, Foden calmly slotted his 16th league goal of the season into the bottom left corner.
Any hopes of an unlikely Albion fightback were extinguished in the 62nd minute. Walker was released down the right and, having cut inside Barco, he slid in to divert the ball away from Brighton keeper Jason Steele, allowing Alvarez to sweep it into the net.