Man City make a mockery of Brighton banana skin - they look unstoppable in the title race

If this was a potential banana skin for Manchester City, then Pep Guardiola’s men never looked like slipping up.

Instead, City delivered a clear message of intent: they have got their sights set on an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title. They were frighteningly good and delivered a sensational performance and a 4-0 win which was probably as uplifting for City as it was demoralising for Arsenal and Liverpool.

It feels hard to believe that City will drop any points when they are playing as brilliantly as this. Phil Foden was electric as he scored twice to maintain his red-hot form in what has become the best season of his career. Foden will surely be the big favourite to be crowned Footballer of the Year as he glided all over the pitch and dominated the game with Brighton unable to get close to him.

It was also a performance in front of Gareth Southgate to underline just how important Foden will be for England this summer as he was just as effective in the middle as when he drifted out wide.

Kevin De Bruyne scored his 68th Premier League goal and it was special because, not only did it open the scoring, but his first ever header from that goal tally. And it leaves you wondering if there is nothing De Bruyne cannot do.

City now have five games left – they have one in hand on leaders Arsenal – and Nottingham Forest, Wolves, Fulham, Tottenham and West Ham will all be fearing the worst because they can easily win the lot. City actually won the title at Brighton on the final day of the season in 2019 and this victory probably went a long way to clinching it again.

They looked tired and jaded in their FA Cup semi-final win over Chelsea at Wembley last weekend, but they just shrugged off any heavy legs with some beautiful football. City were just too good, too slick and too worldly-wise.

Phil Foden scored twice in front of Gareth Southgate
(Image: Getty Images)

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Arsenal’s thumping win over Chelsea did not worry them. There was no way they would go the same way as Liverpool after their defeat at Everton. City know what it takes and nothing can distract them.

In fairness to Brighton, Roberto De Zerbi’s side are riddled with injuries and are running out of steam after a long, hard season. And when City get into their groove, they just control the game and strangle the life out of the opposition.

City were ahead after 17 minutes. Foden drove forward, Kyle Walker delivered an inch perfect cross and there was De Bruyne with his sensational diving header into the top corner. Nine minutes later, it was 2-0. Foden looked like he had tripped himself up but referee Jarred Gillett gave a free kick on the edge of the box.

Pep Guardiola is heading towards another title
(Image: Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Foden took responsibility and his free kick hit Brighton midfielder Pascal Gross, deflected past keeper Jason Steele and into the net. That was Foden’s 50th Premier League goal and he did not wait long for another to make it 24 in all competitions this season.

It came after a terrible mix-up in the Brighton defence. Teenager Valentin Barco, on his first Premier League start, got caught in possession by Bernardo Silva and Foden was presented with an easy chance which he stroked into the bottom corner.

The fourth goal was most unlike City because it was route one. Keeper Ederson hit a long ball, Walker raced into the box, turned Barco before Julian Alvarez swept home. The AmEx was half empty by the end as Brighton fans had seen enough while the travelling army of City fans kept singing until the bitter end as they revelled in yet another march towards the title.

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