MAN CITY 2, BRIGHTON 0
Manchester City claimed top spot in the Premier League for the first time this season following a routine home victory against Brighton.
With Liverpool playing at Chelsea in the tea-time televised match, City were able to leapfrog the Anfield club, if only for a couple of hours.
Goals from Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero saw off the Seagulls who still have never won at City in nine attempts – two draws and seven losses.
Chris Hughton’s side never threatened to break that dismal sequence as City dominated with 80-per-cent possession and 28 goal attempts to Brighton’s four.
If there was any criticism of City it was their conversion rate of two goals from so many goal attempts.
Brighton, without an away win since November and with no clean sheets this season, still have only posted one victory, at home to Manchester United.
With a Champions League game at German club Hoffenheim on Tuesday, City won this game without having to expend maximum effort and there was a feeling they weren’t in full throttle.
City manager Pep Guardiola admitted he was about to take off Aguero moments before he scored because he is struggling with problems with his feet.
He said: “I was hoping he would play 50/55 minutes and he scored a goal at the right moment.
“We have two games left before the international break and hopefully he will recover. He is in not the best condition with his feet.”
Guardiola was delighted with his team’s performance, especially not conceding one shot on target against a Seagulls side he rates highly.
He explained: “Brighton have beaten Manchester United and played well in the second half at Anfield.
“That is why I am very pleased as Brighton are a serious team that have been together for three or four years and gone from the Championship with Chris (Hughton).
“That is why I was pleased with the way we played and the way we attacked and created a lot of chances.”
Guardiola was full of praise for his side, continuing: “I am a lucky guy to have this group of fantastic human beings.”
City made two changes from the side that won 5-0 at Cardiff City last Saturday.
Fabian Delph and Ilkay Gundogan were replaced by Oleksandr Zinchenko, who was making his first start of the season, and David Silva.
Apart from an early Aguero overhead kick, that was blocked by Shane Duffy, it was a low-key opening as Brighton acquitted themselves well and defended resolutely.
After successfully negotiating almost half an hour, Brighton fell behind to City’s first clear chance in the 29th minute following a brilliant move.
The hard-working Aguero released Leroy Sane on the left and his cross was slid home at the far post by Sterling from three yards as he got goalside of Gaeten Bong. It was his fourth goal of the season.
Sterling came close to doubling the lead when he weaved his way clear before forcing a fine save from keeper Matthew Ryan.
Fernandinho then forced a decent diving save from Ryan with a 30-yard drive as City finished the half strongly.
City ought to have added a second goal in the 57th minute when Bernardo Silva’s cross was met Sane who headed the ball into the ground as it looped narrowly over the bar.
Ryan then denied David Silva with a super stop to keep out his fiercely-struck shot after Aguero’s initial effort was charged down.
City finally found a second goal as Aguero made it 15 goals in his last 11 home games, a move he started and finished.
Aguero picked up the ball in midfield and made a dazzling forward burst before releasing Sterling on the left and he square a return pass for the Argentine to slot home his seventh goal of the season.
It was Aguero’s last action as he was immediately replaced by Gabriel Jesus. He left the field with a warm embrace from Guardiola.
Sane soon made way for Riyad Mahrez as City were clearly looking ahead to Tuesday’s Champions League game.
City made their third and final change with two minutes left when David Silva’s place went to exciting teenager Phil Foden and the game fizzled out In the latter stages with Guardiola’s side assured of victory.