Man City 2-1 Brighton: Man City win again

Goal
Man City:Alvarez (7'), Haaland (19')
Brighton:Fati (73')

Red card
Man City:Akanji (90'+4)

When the first half whistle blew, the camera lens focused on Jeremy Doku for a long time instead of any other Man City star. Everything has its reasons, and indeed the Belgian winger was the focal point of Man City's attacks.

Against Brighton, Man City continuously fed the ball to Doku's left wing. Here, the 21-year-old star made the visitors' defense dizzy with his skillful and fast dribbling. Veteran James Milner - who was assigned to play right-back - was completely helpless when he could not stop Man City's new player wearing the number 11 shirt.

None other than Doku was the one who created the opening goal for Julian Alvarez in the 7th minute. The former Rennes player easily got past Brighton's defender, dribbled down to the touchline in the penalty area and then passed the ball back to Alvarez to decisively score the goal against the visitors.

Man City's early lead over Brighton was somewhat surprising because before the match, Pep Guardiola's team was predicted to face many difficulties against Roberto De Zerbi's team. However, Man City, with Rodri returning to the starting lineup after suspension, showed a different level compared to Brighton.

Just over 10 minutes after Alvarez's opener, Man City doubled the lead when Erling Haaland took advantage of a disastrous clearance by midfielder Carlos Baleba. The Norwegian took possession of the ball, moved a few more steps and then unleashed a powerful left-footed shot into the near corner, leaving goalkeeper Jason Steele helpless.

Brighton didn't exactly get to play the rest of the game, as Man City dominated the game. Whenever they lost the ball, Man City would immediately win it back, pass it to the left wing for Doku to attack, and so on. Brighton's efforts were only rewarded with a consolation goal in the 73rd minute, scored by substitute Ansu Fati.

In the end, Man City defeated Brighton 2-1 at Etihad Stadium, thereby ending a streak of 2 consecutive defeats in the Premier League this season. The important victory over Brighton helped Man City rise to the top of the Premier League with 21 points, 1 point more than the second-placed Liverpool. In round 10, Man City will face MU at Old Trafford on October 29.

Line-up
Man City:Ortega, Walker, Stones (Dias 75'), Akanji, Gvardiol, Rodrigo, Bernardo, Foden, Doku (Grealish 75'), Alvarez (Ake 90'+5), Haaland.
Brighton:Steele, Milner (Veltman 46'), Dunk, Igor, March, Baleba (Gilmour 66'), Gross, Adingra, Welbeck (Ferguson 16'), Mitoma, Pedro (Fati 66').

Premier League 2023/24 standings