An outstanding Phil Foden purpose proved decisive as Man Metropolis made it 4 league wins in a row after defeating Brighton on the Etihad.
Man City predictably took instant management of possession within the early levels.
Tempo was missing of their play initially, however the tempo quickly quickened because the 15 minute mark approached.
A flowing transfer noticed Ilkay Gundogan put Kevin De Bruyne by on purpose, however Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez made himself huge to repel the Belgian’s low effort.
The elevated threat of their attacking play quickly opened the door for the Seagulls to counter.
Lenadro Trossard was let loose, and regardless of the shut attentions of each Metropolis centre-halves, curled an effort narrowly previous Ederson’s far submit.
Metropolis had been then provided a novel alternative to attain from an oblique free-kick barely 10-yards from purpose.
Adam Webster’s backpass was picked up by Sanchez, however Alexis Mac Allister reacted sharply to dam De Bruyne’s goalbound effort from the ensuing set piece.
A uncommon foray into the Man Metropolis have introduced a nook for Brighton. Trossard’s supply made mild work for Ederson, who’s fast distribution set a counter in movement.
De Bruyne and Foden broke at tempo, with De Bruyne in the end forcing a save from a shot that proved too central.
On the stroke of half-time, the impasse was lastly damaged in really spectacular vogue.
De Bruyne and Foden mixed as soon as extra to set the teenager away earlier than firing low and precisely along with his weaker foot into the underside nook.
A superbly labored purpose from Phil Foden! 👏
The proper first contact to create the house, and he picks his spot contained in the close to submit 🎯
Excellent! pic.twitter.com/ZFstHYZ6VW
— Soccer on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) January 13, 2021
Man Metropolis continued to dominate after the break, and someway didn’t double their benefit throughout a loopy 60-second spell.
Mahrez curled a low drive narrowly broad earlier than Gundogan noticed his effort fantastically saved. The rebound fell to Bernardo Silva, and after taking a contact to regulate a excessive ball, fired a shot towards the woodwork, a lot to Brighton’s reduction.
Additional probabilities got here and went from Joao Cancelo and the colourful De Bruyne. It appeared solely a matter of time earlier than a second purpose would come.
As full-time neared, Brighton upped their recreation as they went in quest of what can be an important level.
Wastefulness set in from useless ball conditions, nonetheless, guaranteeing their biggest possibilities of equalising steadily got here to nothing.
Metropolis would in the end go on to safe a 1-Zero victory after Raheem Sterling blazed an harm time penalty over the crossbar.
The win thrusts themselves again into the highest 4 and within the thick of what guarantees to be a hotly-contested title race.
