Manchester City’s 4-0 Victory Over Brighton Narrowing Gap On Arsenal In EPL Title Chase
Manchester City dominates with a resounding 4-0 triumph over Brighton, narrowing the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to just one point.
Phil Foden’s stellar performance, including a remarkable brace, propelled City closer to the coveted title.
Phil Foden‘s double helped Manchester City defeat Brighton 4-0 and move the Premier League championship contenders to within one point of leaders Arsenal on Thursday.
At the Amex Stadium, Pep Guardiola’s team exuded imperiousness from the time Kevin De Bruyne headed them into an early lead. Before halftime, England striker Foden scored twice to seal the victory. After the break, Julian Alvarez scored his first goal of the season to make sure that injured striker Erling Haaland, whose absence due to a muscle injury extended to a second straight game, wasn’t missed.
Guardiola remarked, “It is a really good result for us.” “I said before, what we have done in the past, it does not mean we will do it in the future.”We are aware of how slim the margins are. Every game must be won by us. We get closer with every game.”
Liverpool’s unexpected loss to Everton on Wednesday gave City a much-needed boost in the title fight after Arsenal’s 5-0 thumping of Chelsea on Tuesday.
Additionally, City’s promenade down the south coast preserved their control over the title’s outcome.
If Guardiola’s squad wins its next five games, they would be declared champions for an unprecedented fourth consecutive season. They have games in hand over both Arsenal and third-place Liverpool.
City is returning to form at the ideal time, having scored four goals or more in each of their past four league games.
Guardiola, nevertheless, issued a warning: “What happened to Liverpool—two straight losses—can happen to Arsenal, and it can happen to us.”
The fact that we are still there is what matters. There are numerous games available.
After going undefeated in their last eighteen league games, City will go to Nottingham Forest on Sunday, while Arsenal will play Tottenham a few hours earlier.
Guardiola has lamented the “unacceptable” fixture schedule, saying it puts his players’ health at danger. He also attributes his team’s lackluster performance in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final victory over Chelsea to the pile-up.
Brighton, playing for the first time in twelve days, couldn’t have been much fresher, as City looked for the spark to take them one step closer to the championship.
However, the champs showed no signs of fatigue as they seized the lead in the 17th minute with a characteristically stunning play.
Thirty yards from goal, Foden gained control and moved to the right wing, finding Kyle Walker’s run with a deft pass.
Walker sent a pinpoint cross into the area, and De Bruyne’s run was perfectly timed as the Belgian’s diving header cleared Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele and found its way into the net’s roof.
With his fourth goal in his previous five outings, De Bruyne became the first player in Premier League history to score with his head.
Brighton came dangerously close to an instant equalizer through a header from Lewis Dunk that Ederson was unable to stop.
Foden’s fortunate win of a questionable free kick in the 26th minute gave Guardiola’s team a two goal lead.
Foden wasted little time in taking advantage of the situation, firing off a strong shot that deflected wickedly off Pascal Gross and went past Steele, who was caught off guard.
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Eight minutes after the England forward’s 23rd goal in all competitions this season, he scored his 24th.
Due to City’s intense pressure, Valentin Barco of Brighton gave up the ball to Bernardo Silva, and Foden took advantage of the opportunity to shoot a precise shot into the far corner from 12 yards.
In the 62nd minute, Haaland’s substitute gave Alvarez his first league goal since January, breaking his 16-game goalless streak. After entering the area, Walker lost possession of the ball, but Alvarez quickly sprung into action to slot home from close range after his lunging tackle prevented Steele from gathering it.
Manager of Man City Pep Guardiola on The Win
Three points make up the statement. There are no other statements except this one. We get home at two a.m. today. Then we have to fly to Nottingham and another one after tomorrow. We are aware of the steps we must take to reach the finish line and strive to emerge victorious.
“Just because we have been here before doesn’t guarantee that it will happen again. The actions necessary to make it happen are up to us.
“We arrive here. Brighton’s strengths are well known. We were able to play with perfect rhythm in the first half. We located Phil. We were successful the first time we came and at all the appropriate times. I am not sure if he was fouled in the second. We disciplined them during such times. Brighton away is never easy. Teams in the Premier League are aware of this.”
Regarding the race for the title:
“It’s hard to catch [Arsenal on goal difference]. The difference is quite large. They don’t give up and they score a lot of goals. The goal is to prevail in the match. It’s a lot; we have five games left. A single game at a time.
“A lot of things can occur. We can experience what happened to Liverpool when they played Everton and Crystal Palace. Arsenal is not immune to it. That poses no threat to anyone. So, be composed and rejoice in today’s win. The participants remain present. Now get better and consider the next one.”
