Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City secured second place on the Premier League table tonight after the 5-0 thrashing of bottom-half side Brighton And Hove Albion. The Citizens started the fixture in the ascendancy, and at no point did they lose a grip of the tie. The likes of Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne controlled the tempo of the game from the City engine room, and by the end, the Seagulls’ defenders were just chasing shadows. Gabriel Jesus and Bernardo Silva were both on the scoresheet tonight as Raheem Sterling headlined the match with a brilliant hat-trick.
Here Are The Manchester City Player Ratings Vs Brighton And Hove Albion
Manchester City Player Ratings Vs Brighton And Hove Albion
Ederson – 7
The Brazilian stopper had very little to deal with in terms of shots on target tonight, and he looked comfortable between the sticks for the entirety of that tie. Released the ball quickly too.
Kyle Walker – 7.5
The Englishman was operating as the inverted full-back on the right flank, as he offered himself as an extra man in the midfield area. Played some good passes to release Mahrez down that side.
Eric Garcia – 7.5
The youngster put in a solid display at the back, and wasn’t really troubled by the Brighton attackers. Confident in possession and even came close to scoring an unlikely league goal.
Aymeric Laporte – 8
Like his centre-half partner, the stalwart had a comfortable evening at the heart of defence. Moved the ball around with composure and played some delicious long passes as well.
Benjamin Mendy – 7
The speedster, unlike his opposite number, was given the license to bombard forward. Played in some decent crosses, but his decision making in the final third was questionable tonight.
Kevin De Bruyne – 8
The Belgian was sensational in the middle of the park as he controlled the tempo of the game with his passing and energy. Rattled a free-kick against the crossbar in the second period as well.
Rodri – 7.5
The Spaniard picked up the assist for Gabriel Jesus’ goal tonight, and generally did a good job in possession as well. Protected the back-line effectively while also dictating play.
Bernardo Silva – 8
The Portuguese trickster showed great fluency and finesse with his play in the midfield area tonight. Linked up well with the attackers and was at he right place to tap in the Citizens’ fourth goal.
Riyad Mahrez – 9
The winger had one of his best games of the season tonight as he tore the Brighton flank to shreds with his movement and trickery. Spread some sensational passes all around and came close to scoring too.
Gabriel Jesus – 8.5
The Brazilian’s display leading the line tonight would’ve motivated Guardiola that he could be the man to eventually take over from Sergio Aguero. Did well to score and set up a further couple as well.
Raheem Sterling – 9.5
The Englishman was at the top of his game tonight as he opened the scoring with a peach of a goal in the first-half. Terrorised the Brighton back-line and scored another Premier League hat-trick.
Substitutes
Phil Foden – 6
The youngster wasn’t able to come into the game quite as much as he would’ve liked, but he passed the ball around with decent composure.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 6.5
The versatile full-back spent a majority of his time on the pitch in the Brighton half, and he linked up well down that flank as well. Delivered a couple of decent crosses.
David Silva – 7
The Spaniard came into the tie long after the Citizens had taken control, and was easily able to move the ball around in the midfield area. Played a beautiful ball to release Sterling.
Fernandinho – NA
Didn’t have time to make an impact.
John Stones – NA
Didn’t have time to make an impact.
