By Kehinde Okeowo
Man City beat a resilient Brighton 4-1 at the Amex, to go within two points of leader Chelsea.
The away side cruise on, smooth, efficient, and unbreeched in the first half and scored their first goal as early as the 13th minute of the game.
IIkay Gundogan scored from a nice pass from Bernardo Silva to give Man City a 1-0 lead.
Man City made it two in the 28th minute, when Phil Folden, who had an inspired night, converted an assist from Jack Grealish.
City were three up three minutes after, as Graham Porter’s side couldn’t work out how to respond to the offensive display of the away side.
Gabriel Jesus laid the ball to Grealish, his shot was parried by Sanchez, it, however, bounced out to Jesus again, who clinically finished it off, via a deflection from Foden.
Just half an hour was gone. And the visiting fans were already dusting down a nostalgic rerun of their Poznan dance of triumph.
Brighton was a different animal in the second half, as they put City through an examination they rarely experience, in the second half at the Amex.
Graham Potter’s Brighton tested everything about them, their game management, their resilience, and defensive capabilities.
Man City weathered the storm until they cracked and conceded a penalty, after Citys’ keeper Ederson Morales, tripped Enock Mwepu in the 81st minute.
Alexis MacAllister put away the penalty with his right foot, though Morales was close to denying him the opportunity, to make it 3-1.
After substitute Alexis Mac Allister scored, the Amex was on its feet, electrified by the hint of a glorious turnaround.
However, It wasn’t to be, as Riyad Mahrez silenced the home crowd with a fourth City goal, in the 95th minute to end the match 4-1 in favor of Man City.
Given the form displayed by Brighton, especially in the second half, it is unlikely many other visitors here will be as successful.
