Brighton 0-4 Manchester City: What Were The Key Talking Points As Guardiola’s Men Extend On Their Premier League Title Charge?

Putting in what was a rampant performance at the Amex on Thursday night, Manchester City stormed their way to a 4-0 victory away at Brighton.

With Kevin De Bruyne opening the scoring after just 17 minutes following a sublime acrobatic header, Pep Guardiola’s men come flying out of the traps here as the red-hot Phil Foden bagged a first-half brace.

Heading into the interval with a commanding 3-0 goal lead and making a major title statement away from the Etihad, Argentina international Julian Alvarez eventually added a fourth midway through the second-half.

While the Sky Blues might still end Thursday’s trip to the South Coast sat one-point adrift of title rivals Arsenal, they do hold a game advantage and are sat in the driving seat to claim a fourth consecutive domestic crown.

As for Brighton, completely blown away on home soil here and now without a win from their previous five Premier League appearances, the Seagulls have also recorded just a trio of victories since opening the New Year.

On a night when City handed their goal difference a healthy boost, we have taken a look at the main talking points from the Amex.

City extend on their domestic romp

Although Manchester City might have suffered major Champions League heartbreak earlier in the month as they relinquished their maiden European crown, Thursday’s guests are in the midst of another stellar domestic romp.

Still holding a game in hand over bitter title contenders Arsenal and knowing that they are sat in pole position to claim a historic fourth consecutive Premier League title this season, Guardiola’s men certainly made another statement here.

While City might have faced a potential banana skin when they travelled to the Amex here, the former Barcelona boss saw his squad put in a rampant performance as they handed their goal difference a healthy boost.

Punching an FA Cup final ticket at Wembley last weekend as they secured a 1-0 victory against Chelsea, Guardiola’s men have not suffered a single domestic defeat across any competition since the start of December.

Really firing on all cylinders since opening the New Year and gaining a reputation for their clinical performances in the final third, City have now notched 17 goals in just their previous four Premier League appearances.

Foden at his tantalising best

While the record-breaking Erling Haaland might still be tipped as a leading contender to claim another Premier League Golden Boot this season, Manchester City’s homegrown superstar has played the leading role in the Sky Blues’ domestic romp.

Once again stealing the show at the Amex on Thursday night and causing Brighton’s leaky defence a string of issues, the 23-year-old is seen as a standout candidate for this year’s PFA Player of the Year award.

Along with taking his Premier League tally to 16 goals following a first-half brace here, the England international has also registered 34 direct goal contributions across all competitions.

With many expecting Foden to play a huge role as the Three Lions arrive in Germany for this summer’s European Championships, City’s iconic academy graduate has certainly hit top gear at a crucial time.

At the heart of everything positive that Guardiola’s men produced on Thursday night, and picking up another Man of the Match award on the South Coast, Foden finds his stock at a red-hot high.

Brighton continue to struggle with their consistency

Although Brighton might have continued to gain plenty of plaudits since they welcomed Roberto De Zerbi to the Amex back in September 2022, the Seagulls have continued to struggle with their consistency this season.

Watching their maiden Europa League adventure come to an end last month following a routine 4-1 aggregate defeat against Italian giants Roma, Thursday’s hosts face a major uphill battle in their bid to clinch another European finish this time around.

With continued speculation that the one-time Sassuolo boss could be set for a summer move away from the South Coast, Brighton have collected just two points from any of their previous five Premier League appearances.

Continuing to gain a reputation for their extended issues at the back, De Zerbi’s side have also recorded just a trio of victories from any of their last 14 consecutive top-flight showdowns – a rut that stems all the way back to December 28th.

Completely blown away on home soil here and now losing back-to-back appearances at the Amex by an aggregate score of 7-0, Thursday’s defeat has also seen them fall out the top-half of the table.

Match Report

Brighton: Steele, Veltman, van Hecke, Dunk, Barco, Gross, Baleba, Lallana, Moder, Pedro, Welbeck

Subs: Igor, Adingra, Offiah, O’Mahony

Manchester City: Emerson, Walker, Akanji, Ake, Gvardiol, Rodri, Silva, Kovacic, De Bruyne, Foden, Alvarez

Subs: Nunes, Gomez, Doku, Grealish, Lewis

Goals: De Bruyne (17’), Foden (26’, 34’), Alvarez (62’)

Yellow Cards: Veltman, Adringa

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Jarred Gillet