Rampant Man City too much for Brighton despite Ederson penalty gaffe
A rampant Manchester City were too much for Brighton despite a rejuvenated second half which featured an Ederson penalty gaffe.
City raced into a 3-0 lead before the break and were totally in control of the match. However, the hosts came out positively after the restart and found hope when they converted from the spot. But a late fourth goal ensured City took all three points back north.
Graham Potter switched from a back five to a flat back four for the match. That saw Solly March come into the team for Shane Duffy.
City made two changes from their midweek Champions League victory. Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez made way for Ilkay Gundogan and Gabriel Jesus.
Jack Grealish made waves down the left in the early going and cut back for Joao Cancelo. The full-back shot at goal and Robert Sanchez pushed it out for a corner, which he then claimed.
A miraculous goal line clearance prevented City from taking the lead as Lewis Dunk performed acrobatics on the line to stop Jesus’ saved shot from going in.
But the Brighton defending was far from miraculous mere minutes later. Sanchez went up for a looping ball with Jesus and dropped it on impact. Bernardo Silva flicked over his head to Gundogan who tapped into an empty net.
Sanchez did better when he saved from Grealish in a one-on-one and then made another important save to deny Jesus.
The hosts forayed forward as they looked to respond but were caught on the break. Silva scampered away and fed Grealish, who took a touch before squaring for Foden to finish for 2-0.
It was three soon after, too. Grealish’s shot rebounded to Jesus and the striker’s effort deflected off Foden and in. Sanchez got a hand to it but it was not enough.
Marc Cucurella provided the Seagulls with some attacking threat, though a pair of crosses were both dealt with by the City backline.
As half-time approached Brighton nearly had a way back into the game. Ederson failed to stop March’s shot convincingly and only just claimed it before it went in.
Brighton bright after the break
Once the game got back underway the home side improved and started to ask some questions of the Premier League champions.
They racked up the corners but Ederson stood firm in the City net.
Substitute Tariq Lamptey produced some lovely movement to jink past Grealish before making his way down the right wing. His cross forced a corner but nothing came of it.
Brighton were offered a lifeline with 10 minutes to go when Ederson needlessly took down the fresh legs of Enock Mwepu.
Another substitute, Alexis Mac Allister, stepped up and although Ederson went the right way, the ball found the back of the net.
The home side pushed but Mahrez, who had replaced Jesus, added another in stoppage time to make it 4-1 when the final whistle blew.
READ MORE: Tottenham, Man City hold initial talks to sign commanding centre-back
The post Rampant Man City too much for Brighton despite Ederson penalty gaffe appeared first on TEAMtalk.