(Brighton – Manchester City 0-4) Manchester City responded to Arsenal’s title assault and cruised through one of arguably their toughest games yet.
Thursday 25 April at 23:12
Kevin De Bruyne’s phenomenal diving header opened the show for the visitors and from there it was essentially a one-way street.
Phil Foden doubled when he shot a questionable free kick over the wall and in.
The same man took advantage of a well-ambitious Brighton attempt to play out from behind and rolled in 3-0 before the break. The 23-year-old is having a very strong season, and scored his 15th and 16th league goals of the season.
It is difficult to describe De Bruyne’s pearl of a goal well enough – it should probably be seen:
– Manchester City are brought to life at this point of the season. They love it, embrace it and look forward to it. Other teams can hide, get contained and not want the ball or pressure. This team loves it, says Sky Sports expert Jamie Redknapp.
The win means City are a point behind main title rivals Arsenal. They also have one game to go. City will thus win the title if they win all five of their remaining games.
But pay special attention to the showdown they have on May 14:
Manchester City’s remaining games this season
Sunday 28 April at 17.30: Nottingham Forest – Manchester City
Saturday 4 May at 18.30: Manchester City – Wolverhampton
Saturday 11 May at 1.30 p.m.: Fulham – Manchester City
Tuesday 14 May at 21:00: Tottenham – Manchester City
Sunday 19 May at 17:00, last series round: Manchester City – West Ham
Saturday 25 May at 16.00: Manchester United – Manchester City, FA Cup final
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The Brighton fans here at the Amex alternated between shouting “cheats, cheats, cheats” at Manchester City and tearing their hair out over their own team selections.
The judges also got to hear it. First when Foden got the free kick he scored on, then when the home team had good reasons to call for a penalty early in the second half. Pascal Groß was allegedly knocked to the ground by Rodri, but got nothing.
When Joao Pedro went to the ground after apparently being run down by Josko Gvardiol, the cup ran over for many. And City probably got away cheaply with the referee’s decisions overall.
Erling Braut Haaland also missed this match with the injury he sustained last Wednesday in the match against Real Madrid.
The injury is not expected to be serious and City seem to be doing well without him at least for the moment.
His replacement Julian Alvarez scored a Haaland-like goal when he tapped in a rebound from Kyle Walker’s set-up to make it 4-0 in the second half.
As early as Sunday, they will face Nottingham Forest away, in what will be an important day in the title race. City still have it in their own hands.
PS! Oscar Bobb was unused reserve for Manchester City.
