Brighton & Hove Albion 0-4 Manchester City: Phil Foden scores twice in clinical win

Manchester City moved smoothly to within one point of Premier League leaders Arsenal with a game in hand after a routine victory over Brighton at the Amex Stadium.

Kevin de Bruyne's first header in his 68 Premier League goals, a magnificent flying effort into the top corner, set City on their way before Phil Foden controversially doubled the advantage nine minutes layer.

Referee Jarred Gillett awarded City a free-kick despite Foden only appearing to slip, Brighton seeing insult added to injury as his resulting set-piece strike took a deflection off Pascal Gross to wrong-foot keeper Jason Steele.

Any hope of a Brighton comeback was extinguished after 34 minutes by a smooth Foden finish into the bottom corner, after the Seagulls had been caught in possession trying to play out from the back.

It was then simply a case of damage limitation for Roberto de Zerbi's side but City extended their lead just after the hour when the ball ran away from Steele as he went into a challenge with Kyle Walker and Julian Alvarez was on hand to pounce.

• 'With title prize in sight, Man City rarely show any weakness'
• Relive Brighton's match with Manchester City in the Premier League
• How did you rate Brighton's performance? Have your say here
• What did you make of Manchester City's display? Send us your views here

Man City looking ominous

Manchester City are at it again, reaching peak form just when it matters to turn up the pressure on pace-setters Arsenal as the title race reaches the final few fences.

Liverpool's recent decline continued as they were beaten by Everton in the Merseyside derby but Arsenal are not going away, with a win at Wolverhampton Wanderers followed by the 5-0 thrashing of Chelsea at Emirates Stadium.

This did not have any impact on City, who have been through this tension before, as what was pitched as a tricky trip to the south coast turned into a formality.

It had all the hallmarks of a City performance close to the Premier League finishing line - calm and ruthless with flashes of brilliance from those who can change any game for manager Pep Guardiola.

De Bruyne is renowned for just about anything apart from his heading ability but he scored an athletic effort to open the scoring. It was then Foden's turn to add further flourishes.

Such was their comfort that Guardiola was even able to give De Bruyne and Foden a breather by substituting them before the end with the game won, conserving energy for the weekend visit to struggling Nottingham Forest.

Brighton running out of steam

Brighton were chasing European football in thrilling style at this stage last season under De Zerbi - a mission they accomplished successfully.

Here, depleted by injuries, they were jaded and lacking inspiration as their campaign continues to look like it will end in anti-climax.

Brighton's supporters felt they did not get the rub of the green with decisions, especially with the free-kick award that led to City's second goal, the mood inside the Amex worsening when second-half penalty appeals were turned down.

In reality, however, they looked a shadow of the side that made life so difficult for the top teams last season, being outclassed and overwhelmed by their visitors.

Brighton lost key midfield duo Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister last summer and De Zerbi's hopes of another European challenge have been further undermined by injuries, despite some sparkling performances this term.

There has also been speculation around De Zerbi's own future, which will hopefully be cleared up so this progressive club can regroup and move forward once more.

This was a chastening experience for the Seagulls but they were unfortunate to meet Manchester City at just the wrong time, with their energy starting to run low.

Player of the match

De BruyneKevin De Bruyne

with an average of 8.38

• BrightonBrighton & Hove AlbionBrighton & Hove Albion
• Man CityManchester CityManchester City

Brighton & Hove Albion

Avg

1. Squad number55Player nameO’Mahony

   Average rating

   6.46
2. Squad number18Player nameWelbeck

   Average rating

   5.18
3. Squad number19Player nameBarco

   Average rating

   5.10
4. Squad number5Player nameDunk

   Average rating

   5.09
5. Squad number9Player nameJoão Pedro

   Average rating

   5.08
6. Squad number20Player nameBaleba

   Average rating

   4.98
7. Squad number23Player nameSteele

   Average rating

   4.96
8. Squad number29Player namevan Hecke

   Average rating

   4.91
9. Squad number15Player nameModer

   Average rating

   4.89
10. Squad number34Player nameVeltman

    Average rating

    4.87
11. Squad number13Player nameGroß

    Average rating

    4.82
12. Squad number14Player nameLallana

    Average rating

    4.71
13. Squad number42Player nameOffiah

    Average rating

    4.59
14. Squad number24Player nameAdingra

    Average rating

    4.31
15. Squad number3Player nameIgor Julio

    Average rating

    4.12

Manchester City

Avg

1. Squad number17Player nameDe Bruyne

   Average rating

   8.38
2. Squad number47Player nameFoden

   Average rating

   8.08
3. Squad number19Player nameÁlvarez

   Average rating

   7.35
4. Squad number2Player nameWalker

   Average rating

   7.31
5. Squad number20Player nameBernardo Silva

   Average rating

   7.18
6. Squad number10Player nameGrealish

   Average rating

   7.16
7. Squad number16Player nameRodri

   Average rating

   7.06
8. Squad number8Player nameKovacic

   Average rating

   6.98
9. Squad number82Player nameLewis

   Average rating

   6.94
10. Squad number25Player nameAkanji

    Average rating

    6.94
11. Squad number24Player nameGvardiol

    Average rating

    6.87
12. Squad number6Player nameAké

    Average rating

    6.86
13. Squad number11Player nameDoku

    Average rating

    6.86
14. Squad number31Player nameEderson

    Average rating

    6.84
15. Squad number27Player nameMatheus Nunes

    Average rating

    6.74
16. Squad number21Player nameGómez

    Average rating

    6.66