FT: Brighton 0-4 Man City - De Bruyne heads opener, Foden double & Alvarez with fourth
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Emms: De Bruyne doing his Haaland impersonation.
Neal: As much as I hate to say it as a Liverpool fan. That goal deserves to win a league. Van Persie MKII.
Paul: KDB put him in the hall of fame. One of the best the prem has seen.
Brighton 0-1 Man City
Kevin de Bruyne is in the mood. He gets the ball in his own half and bursts forward about 50 yards before shooting just outside the box.
It's deflected wide for a corner. The corner is half-cleared to Julian Alvarez, who shoots wide.
Brighton 0-1 Man City
Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at the Amex Stadium
We've seen all types of finishes from Kevin de Bruyne in his glittering Manchester City career but not too many like that one. What a header that was, athletic, precise and Manchester City lead.
Just the start City wanted.
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Really not surprised city are winning. Brighton aren’t what they were and take stupid risks at the back. Frankly if it wasn’t for his perceived attractive style of play and popularity De Zerbi would be under pressure having only won 3 PL games so far in 2024.
Paul
Brighton 0-1 Man City
Manchester City's turn to attack again but Julian Alvarez fires wide from a tight angle.
Brighton 0-1 Man City
Ben Mee
Brentford defender on BBC Radio Manchester
I think Lewis Dunk will feel like he should have done better, he'd got a good connection to the ball.
He gets up really well but heads into the ground which takes the pace off it.
Brighton 0-1 Man City
Almost is an immediate equaliser as Lewis Dunk gets a good head to a corner but it hits the ground and bounces into Ederson's gloves.
He needs heading tips from Kevin de Bruyne.
Brighton 0-1 Man City
Alan Smith
Former Arsenal forward on Sky Sports
What a header this is.
What a fine move.
Phil Foden bides his time and waits for Walker's run and it is a lovely pick out and from there I'm thinking 'he's not going to put it in.' On the spot, beautiful header from de Bruyne.
Image source, Getty ImagesBrighton 0-1 Man City
Brighton win a corner as they look for an immediate response.
Brighton 0-1 Man City
Ben Mee
Brentford defender on BBC Radio Manchester
It's not a goal you'd associate with Kevin de Bruyne but it's a great header.
He just throws his body at it. He's in line with the penalty spot and he just manages to pull off a brilliant, fantastic header.
Kevin de Bruyne
That's why they call him the Belgian Duncan Ferguson.
Kyle Walker swings a cross in and Kevin de Bruyne stoops and throws himself at the ball to meet the cross with a sensational header that flies into the top corner.
Image source, Getty ImagesBrighton 0-0 Man City
Ben Mee
Brentford defender on BBC Radio Manchester
A really good ball in from Phil Foden and Nathan Ake is onside, he times his run really well. He's on the stretch, it bounces in front of him. It's a difficult opportunity.
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Anon: Actually somewhat glad Haaland isn’t playing. Alvarez gets a chance and Haaland hasn’t been great…
Please put your name on your messages.
Brighton 0-0 Man City
Phil Foden swings a free-kick in from the left. Nathan Ake is in space in the box but, while stretching, he hooks a shot over the bar. It was a difficult shot really to take.
Brighton 0-0 Man City
Ben Mee
Brentford defender on BBC Radio Manchester
Brighton have set up really well. They have a good shape about them, setting up that mid-press really well.
They're taking a risk at the back by stepping an extra man into midfield. It is risk or reward for them.
City have to be patient. Ederson's got on the ball a lot. Without Haaland in the side it's easier to go one-on-one with City. He's so quick and just bullies defenders.
Image source, Getty ImagesBrighton 0-0 Man City
A misplaced pass back by Kyle Walker but Manuel Akanji deals with the mess.
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How many of the 43k plus watching this page are Arsenal and Liverpool fans cheering on Brighton?
Jono
Brighton 0-0 Man City
Gareth Southgate casts a watchful eye over tonight's action.
Image source, ReutersBrighton 0-0 Man City
City ping the ball round at the back patiently. Bernardo Silva drops back into the centre-back position to get a feel of the action.
Brighton 0-0 Man City
Ben Mee
Brentford defender on BBC Radio Manchester
Good bit of footwork from the keeper. I know some fans may have their heart in their mouths, but I think the Brighton supporters are used to how this team play.
Football has changed, you're expecting your keeper to receive the ball in tight areas.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 24 | 5 | 5 | 82 | 26 | 56 | 77 |
| |
| 33 | 23 | 7 | 3 | 80 | 32 | 48 | 76 |
| |
| 34 | 22 | 8 | 4 | 75 | 34 | 41 | 74 |
| |
| 34 | 20 | 6 | 8 | 71 | 50 | 21 | 66 |
| |
| 32 | 18 | 6 | 8 | 65 | 49 | 16 | 60 |
| |
| 33 | 16 | 5 | 12 | 51 | 50 | 1 | 53 |
| |
| 33 | 15 | 5 | 13 | 69 | 54 | 15 | 50 |
| |
| 34 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 54 | 63 | -9 | 48 |
| |
| 32 | 13 | 8 | 11 | 61 | 57 | 4 | 47 |
| |
| 34 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 49 | 60 | -11 | 45 |
| |
| 33 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 52 | 54 | -2 | 44 |
| |
| 34 | 12 | 7 | 15 | 46 | 54 | -8 | 43 |
| |
| 34 | 12 | 6 | 16 | 50 | 54 | -4 | 42 |
| |
| 34 | 10 | 9 | 15 | 44 | 56 | -12 | 39 |
| |
| 34 | 9 | 8 | 17 | 52 | 59 | -7 | 35 |
| |
| 34 | 11 | 8 | 15 | 36 | 48 | -12 | 33 |
| |
| 34 | 7 | 9 | 18 | 42 | 60 | -18 | 26 |
| |
| 34 | 6 | 7 | 21 | 47 | 75 | -28 | 25 |
| |
| 34 | 5 | 8 | 21 | 37 | 69 | -32 | 23 |
| |
| 34 | 3 | 7 | 24 | 33 | 92 | -59 | 16 |
|
Manager: Roberto De Zerbi
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Formation: 4 - 1 - 4 - 1
Manager: Roberto De Zerbi
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Formation: 4 - 1 - 4 - 1
Premier League
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
Brighton have lost 11 of their 13 Premier League games against Manchester City (W1 D1), though each of their four points earned against the Citizens in the competition have come across their last three home games against them (W1 D1 L1).
Man City have scored in all 13 of their Premier League games against Brighton – they’ve only faced Bournemouth (14) more often in the competition while scoring in every game.
Both times Manchester City have failed to beat Brighton in the Premier League have come in a midweek game at the Amex Stadium – they lost 3-2 in May 2021 (Tuesday) and drew 1-1 in May 2023 (Wednesday), though had already been confirmed as champions both times.
Brighton have failed to score in all three of their midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) Premier League games so far in 2024, drawing 0-0 with both West Ham and Brentford and losing 4-0 to Luton.
Manchester City have won 17 of their 19 midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) Premier League games over the last three seasons, with the exceptions being a 1-1 draw at Brighton (May 2023) and a 1-0 loss at Aston Villa (December 2023).
Since beating Sheffield United 5-0 in February, Brighton have scored just four goals in their last seven Premier League games. The Seagulls are also winless in each of their last four (D2 L2).
Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 17 Premier League games (W13 D4), last having a longer run within the same season between November and March in 2020-21 (19).
Brighton’s 3-0 defeat against Arsenal in their last Premier League home game ended a 12-game unbeaten run for the Seagulls at the Amex Stadium in the league (W6 D6). They last lost consecutive home league games in November/December 2022 (including defeat to Arsenal), while they last lost consecutive home league games in the same month in March 2022.
Against no side has Man City’s Phil Foden scored more Premier League goals than he has against Brighton, netting six in his last seven such appearances against the Seagulls. His next goal will be his 50th in the Premier League.
Seven of Kevin De Bruyne’s nine Premier League goal involvements for Man City this season have come in his six away appearances (all 3 goals, plus 4 assists). He’s averaging a goal or assist every 43 minutes on the road in the league this term.
