Manchester Metropolis moved easily to inside one level of Premier League leaders Arsenal with a recreation in hand after a routine victory over Brighton on the Amex Stadium.

Kevin de Bruyne’s first header in his 68 Premier League objectives, an impressive flying effort into the highest nook, set Metropolis on their means earlier than Phil Foden controversially doubled the benefit 9 minutes layer.

Referee Jarred Gillett awarded Metropolis a free-kick regardless of Foden solely showing to slide, Brighton seeing insult added to harm as his ensuing set-piece strike took a deflection off Pascal Gross to wrong-foot keeper Jason Steele.

Any hope of a Brighton comeback was extinguished after 34 minutes by a easy Foden end into the underside nook, after the Seagulls had been caught in possession attempting to play out from the again.

It was then merely a case of injury limitation for Roberto de Zerbi’s facet however Metropolis prolonged their lead simply after the hour when the ball ran away from Steele as he went right into a problem with Kyle Walker and Julian Alvarez was readily available to pounce.

Man Metropolis wanting ominous

Manchester Metropolis are at it once more, reaching peak type simply when it issues to show up the strain on pace-setters Arsenal because the title race reaches the ultimate few fences.

Liverpool’s current decline continued as they had been crushed by Everton within the Merseyside derby however Arsenal will not be going away, with a win at Wolverhampton Wanderers adopted by the 5-0 thrashing of Chelsea at Emirates Stadium.

This didn’t have any impression on Metropolis, who’ve been by means of this stress earlier than, as what was pitched as a difficult journey to the south coast was a formality.

It had all of the hallmarks of a Metropolis efficiency near the Premier League ending line – calm and ruthless with flashes of brilliance from those that can change any recreation for supervisor Pep Guardiola.

De Bruyne is famend for absolutely anything other than his heading capability however he scored an athletic effort to open the scoring. It was then Foden’s flip so as to add additional thrives.

Such was their consolation that Guardiola was even in a position to give De Bruyne and Foden a breather by substituting them earlier than the tip with the sport received, conserving vitality for the weekend go to to struggling Nottingham Forest.

Brighton operating out of steam

Brighton had been chasing European soccer in thrilling fashion at this stage final season underneath De Zerbi – a mission they completed efficiently.

Right here, depleted by accidents, they had been jaded and missing inspiration as their marketing campaign continues to appear to be it can finish in anti-climax.

Brighton’s supporters felt they didn’t get the rub of the inexperienced with choices, particularly with the free-kick award that led to Metropolis’s second objective, the temper contained in the Amex worsening when second-half penalty appeals had been turned down.

In actuality, nevertheless, they seemed a shadow of the facet that made life so tough for the highest groups final season, being outclassed and overwhelmed by their guests.

Brighton misplaced key midfield duo Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister final summer time and De Zerbi’s hopes of one other European problem have been additional undermined by accidents, regardless of some glowing performances this time period.

There has additionally been hypothesis round De Zerbi’s personal future, which can hopefully be cleared up so this progressive membership can regroup and transfer ahead as soon as extra.

This was a chastening expertise for the Seagulls however they had been unlucky to satisfy Manchester Metropolis at simply the fallacious time, with their vitality beginning to run low.