25 APRIL 2024
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 0 MANCHESTER CITY 4
PREMIER LEAGUE - at the AMERICAN EXPRESS STADIUM, FALMER.
Back at the Amex, the Seagulls welcomed last season's Premier League Champion's Manchester City to the South Coast for a Premier League encounter, "live" in front of the Sky Sports cameras and broadcast over the airwaves on Talksport and BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
In their previous outing the Albion had drawn 1-1 away at Burnley on the 13 April and for City's visit Head Coach Roberto De Zerbi made three changes to his starting line-up from the Burnley game, with Jason Steele, Valentin Barco and Adam Lallana coming in for Bart Verbruggen, Pervis Estupinan (injured) and Simon Adingra. Argentinian Valentin Barco was making his first Premier League start for the Seagulls.
Chasing a fourth Premier League title on the trot and having been knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by Real Madrid the previous week the Albion knew they would be in for a tough evening and so it proved. Last time out City had defeated Chelsea 1-0 in the Semi-Final of the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium on the 20 April and for their visit to the Amex Manager Pep Guardiola made three changes to his starting line-up from the Chelsea game, with Ederson, Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic replacing Stefan Ortega, John Stones and Jack Grealish, the latter three dropping down to the substitutes bench.
City were currently third in the Premier League table and a win at the Amex would take them one point behind leaders Arsenal, with a game in hand.
Previously this season, in the reverse fixture at the Etihad Stadium on the 21 October 2023, City won 2-1, with their goals coming from Julian Alvarez (7m) and Erling Haaland (19m). Albion's goal was scored by Ansu Fati (73m).
Last season's meetings in the Premier saw City win 3-1 at the Etihad on the 22 October 2022, their scorers being Erling Haaland 2 and Kevin De Bruyn, with Albion's consolation coming from Leandro Trossard. In the reverse fixture at the Amex on the 24 May 2023, the teams drew 1-1, with Julio Enciso scoring a worldy for the Albion after City had opened the scoring through Phil Foden.
After a bright opening by the Albion, during the course of which Danny Welbeck had an opportunity saved by City keeper Ederson, it was the visitors who took the lead on 17 minutes when a slick move involving England internationals Phil Foden and Kyle Walker ended with the latter's cross to Belgium international Kevin De Bruyne, whose powerful header from 12 yards out looped over Albion keeper Jason Steele and into the net. 0-1.
Thereafter action at either end saw Lewis Dunk's header from a corner kept out by Ederson and at the other end a fine defensive block by Jan Paul Van Hecke denied De Bruyne.
City increased their lead on 26 minutes with a dubious free-kick when Foden slipped over but he got up to convert the free-kick via a Pascal Gross deflection. 0-2.
On 34 minutes, City scored a third when Albion's wayward passing in their own penalty area ended with Valentin Barco gifting the ball to Bernardo Silva who found Foden who clinically netted with a low right-foot shot. 0-3. Game over.
Half-time 0-3.
Albion made a double substitution at the start of the second-half, with Odeluga Offiah coming on for Joel Veltman and Simon Adingra replacing Adam Lallana.
First chance of the half fell to the lively Joao Pedro whose snap shot from Barco's assist was held by Ederson. City increased their lead on 62 minutes when Walker's shot was parried by Steele into the path of the unmarked Julian Alvarez who swept the ball home.0-4.
The Seagulls should have been awarded a penalty when Pedro was clearly brought down by Josko Gvardiol in the box but Referee Jarred Gillett and VAR disagreed. A tough night for the Albion.
Final-score 0-4.
Match stats:
Albion had 7 attempts at goal, with 3 on target and won 4 corners, free-kicks conceded - 10.
Manchester City had 14 attempts at goal, with 6 on target and won 4 corners, free-kicks conceded - 3.
TO SUM UP
City showed why they are chasing a fourth Premier League title on the trot whilst Albion looked like a club which sells its' best players and is permanently in a state of transition. Although City are in a league of their own, this should not deter Albion from trying to compete with them on the field of play.
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Jason Steele; Joel Veltman (Odeluga Offiah 46), Jan Paul Van Hecke, Lewis Dunk (Capt), Valentin Barco; Carlos Baleba, Jakub Moder (Igor Julio 56); Adam Lallana (Simon Adingra 46), Pascal Gross, Joao Pedro; Danny Welbeck (Mark O'Mahony 75).
Subs not used: Bart Verbruggen (G/K), Adam Webster, Julio Enciso, Ansu Fati, Facundo Buonanotte.
Manchester City line-up (4-1-4-1):- Ederson; Kyle Walker (Capt) (Rico Lewis 79), Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, Josko Gvardiol; Rodri (Sergio Gomez 79); Bernardo Silva (Jeremy Doku 78), Kevin De Bruyne (Matheus Nunes 72), Mateo Kovacic, Phil Foden (Jack Grealish 72); Julian Alvarez.
Subs not used: Stefan Ortega (G/K), Ruben Dias, John Stones, Oscar Bobb.
Referee: Jarred Gillett (Queensland, Australis).
Fourth Official: Graham Scott.
VAR Official: John Brooks.
Yellow Cards: Albion: 2 - Joel Veltman, Carlos Baleba.
Possession: Albion - 35%. Manchester City - 65%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City).
Attendance: 31596.
NEXT GAME:
5 MAY 2024 - ASTON VILLA - home - Premier League - kick-off 14.00.