Manchester City are now 14 matches unbeaten, the scoreline of this win not reflecting the conveyor-belt of chances they created. At the end all that separated the sides was Phil Foden’s impressive goal near half-time – the substitute Raheem Sterling blasting an added-time penalty over – and as Brighton had seriously pressed as the final whistle approached City ended relieved to collect a vital three points.
This was the first of the two games Pep Guardiola’s side had in hand and in winning they rise to 32 points, four behind the Premier League leaders, Manchester United.
