There is just too big of a quality gap, even though these two teams are pretty close in the Premier League table. Reigning champions showed no empathy towards this season’s surprise from the south coast. Final score 1-4 as Manchester City climb to the second place in the standings.Performances of the Seagulls during the ongoing campaign raised eyebrows, especially the fact that they welcomed the Citizens at their AMEX Stadium standing fourth. But Guardiola & Co just did not care – they came, they saw, they conquered.As soon as 7th minute of the match, Joao Cancelo blasted the ball the edge of the box towards the bottom left corner. Robert Sanchez guessed his intention and dived superbly to deny the Portuguese with a remarkable save.Four minutes later Gabriel Jesus controlled a fine pass in Brighton’s box and took a shot towards the roof of the net, but one of the defenders made a great clearance.It was all pretty much a trailer for the goal that came in the 13th minute – after what looked like a foul on Sanchez, the ball ended up in Ilkay Gundogan’s feet. He just had to place it inside the empty net.Man City had nine shots on target in the first half against Brighton, the most they’ve managed in the first half of a Premier League game under Pep Guardiola. Shooting on site. 🔫 pic.twitter.com/KGu6fPpnL0— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 23, 2021 Only Mohamed Salah (16) and Harry Kane (15) have scored more Premier League goals in 2021 than Manchester City’s Ilkay Gündogan (13).Guardiola’s squad scored two more against idea-less hosts – courtesy of Phil Foden. Englishman’s first came in the 28th minute, after Jack Grealish assisted. Foden’s second happened three minutes later with Gabriel Jesus setting it up.Brighton woke up just before the end of the first half. Solomon March had a good chance to change the score – he ran towards the goal and unleashed a shot from just outside the penalty area which went straight towards the roof of the net, but Ederson was ready and made an amazing save.Manchester City took off a bit of the first half pressure in the second period and Brighton looked as if they can try and get back in the game. Unfortunately for the home fans, none of the plays Brighton tried led them close to the goal.Home side did manage to score – from the penalty spot in the 80 minute. Ederson was careless in his own box, made a foul and eventfully failed to prevent Alexis Mac Allister from converting the shot.⏰ FULL TIME ⏰Manchester City move up to second in the table with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Brighton at the Amex!— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 23, 2021 It did not do much to the game. Energy was the same, City were confident in their lead. And made it even bigger – Foden was close to a hat-trick, he burst into the box after a fine solo run, looked up and tried to place a shot into the bottom left corner, but Sanchez made a great save to deny him his moment of glory.Foden did not score City’s fourth but he did set it up. Riyad Mahrez made good use of the scoring opportunity and sent the ball into the net.Tomorrow’s massive clash between Manchester United and Liverpool could affect City’s placement at the table after 9 rounds. If Liverpool takes all three points, City will once again end up third.Guardiola and his men have their next match in four days as West Ham will welcome them at London Stadium.Phil Foden vs Brighton2 Goals1 Assists94% Pass Success3 Chances Created100% Long Ball Success4 Shots on TargetA great performance from the youngster!#ManCity #MCFC #PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/W0yKt7D7er— Football Stats (@FtblStats) October 23, 2021 Elsewhere today, after Chelsea’s masterclass against Norwich, Rafa Benitez watched in shock as his Everton went from being in front to being thrashed in less than 10 minutes. It was an incredible turnaround of Claudio Ranieri’s Watford at Goodison Park – from 2-1 to 2-5.Newcastle won their first point under new owners (1-1 against Crystal Palace in London) while Leeds managed to win a point in the last seconds of the match against Wolves (1-1). In the clash of the team fighting to stay away from the relegation zone, Southampton came back after trailing 2-0 against Burnley at St. Mary’s Stadium (2-2)FULL-TIME Everton 2-5 Watford Hat-trick hero Joshua King inspires Watford to an astonishing fightback win#EVEWAT pic.twitter.com/mGzv8rZCJA— Premier League (@premierleague) October 23, 2021 PREMIER LEAGUE – ROUND 9Friday: Arsenal – Aston Villa 3-1 (2-0)/Partey 23, Aubameyang 45+6, Smith Rowe 56 – Ramsey 82/Saturday Chelsea – Norwich City 7-0 (3-0)/Mount 8 85, 90+1, Hudson-Odoi 18, James 42, Chilwell 57, Aarons 62 og/Crystal Palace – Newcastle United 1-1 (0-0)/Benteke 56 – Wilson 65/Everton – Watford 2-5 (1-1)/Davies 3, Richarlison 63 – King 13, 80, 86, Kucka 78, Dennis 90+1/Leeds United – Wolverhampton 1-1 (0-1)/Raphinha 90+4 pen – Hwang 10/Southampton – Burnley 2-2 (1-1)/Livramento 41, Broja 50 – Cornet 13, 57/Brighton & Hove Albion – Manchester City 1-4 (0-3)/Mac Allister 81 pen – Gundogan 13, Foden 28, 31, Mahrez 90+5/Sunday 16:00 Brentford – Leicester City16:00 West Ham United – Tottenham18:30 Manchester United – Liverpool
