Manchester City moved to within a point of league leaders Arsenal with a 4-0 thrashing of Brighton and Hove Albion on Thursday night.
Premier League
Report: Brighton and Hove Albion 0-4 Manchester City
Date: 25 April 2024
Venue: AMEX Stadium
Erling Haaland missed out once again as Julian Alvarez started upfront, while Ederson, Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol were recalled after the FA Cup win over Chelsea over the weekend.
The visitors drew first blood on 16 minutes when Kyle Walker did well to pick out Kevin de Bruyne, who sent a wonderful looping header into the top corner.
The lead was doubled in the nine minutes later as Phil Foden's free-kick took a big deflection off Pascal Gross and sailed into the back of the net, taking his tally to 15 league goals this campaign.
Brighton did themselves no favours after gifting City a third goal by trying to play out the back, with Foden pouncing on an error from debutant Valentin Barco to complete his brace ten minutes before the break.
The hosts came out a bit more livelier in the second half, but City grabbed a fourth goal on 62 minutes when Walker did well to shift the ball into the path of Alvarez, who fired into an empty net.
With the Citizens comfortably leading, manager Pep Guardiola opted to withdraw De Bruyne and Foden for the final 20 minutes as Jack Grealish and Mathues Nunes were introduced.
City were able to see out the closing stages with relative ease as they held on for the clean sheet and move one point behind the Gunners with a game in hand.
Guardiola's charges will be back in action on Sunday evening against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
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