sport news PLAYER RATINGS: Phil Foden rewarded Pep Guardiola for granting him freedom and ... trends now

sport news PLAYER RATINGS: Phil Foden rewarded Pep Guardiola for granting him freedom and ... trends now
sport news PLAYER RATINGS: Phil Foden rewarded Pep Guardiola for granting him freedom and ... trends now

sport news PLAYER RATINGS: Phil Foden rewarded Pep Guardiola for granting him freedom and ... trends now

Manchester City closed the gap to Premier League leaders Arsenal by running out comfortable 4-0 winners against Brighton on Thursday night.

Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring with a superb diving header, before two Phil Foden strikes gave Pep Guardiola's side a 3-0 cushion at half-time.

Substitute Julian Alvarez added to scoreline with a close range finish after the hour mark, as Man City negotiated a potentially tricky away assignment with ease.

The result saw Man City move a point behind Arsenal, with the reigning champions still having a game in hand on their rivals as they bid for a fourth successive title.

Mail Sport's Kieran Gill rates the players at the Amex Stadium. 

Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring for Man City in their 4-0 victory over Brighton

Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring for Man City in their 4-0 victory over Brighton

Phil Foden's stunning season continued with another two goals on Thursday at the Amex

Phil Foden's stunning season continued with another two goals on Thursday at the Amex

Pep Guardiola's side move a point behind leaders Arsenal after their comfortable victory

Pep Guardiola's side move a point behind leaders Arsenal after their comfortable victory

BRIGHTON (4-2-3-1)

Jason Steele – 5

Hardly stood a chance of stopping any of Manchester City’s three goals in the first half. Forever reliable when the ball was at his feet, unlike his defenders!

Joel Veltman – 5

Showed his frustration amid this battering by booting the ball away to earn a caution and that contributed to him suffering the indignity of being hooked at half-time.

Lewis Dunk – 5

Amusing seeing him totally desert his defensive line to follow Phil Foden wherever he went, as per the man-to-man plan which unravelled as soon as Kevin De Bruyne headed home unmarked.

Jan Paul van Hecke – 5

Manchester City can be a nightmare to face. One moment, Julian Alvarez is your striker. The next, it’s Phil Foden or Kevin De Bruyne.

Valentin Barco – 4

Possibly the worst way to mark your first Premier League start, his makings contributing to this mess such as when he gave away the ball for Phil Foden to score. Will learn from this.

Valentin Barco, centre, marked his Premier League start by giving the ball away for Foden's second

Valentin Barco, centre, marked his Premier League start by giving the ball away for Foden's second

Jakub Moder – 5

Followed Kevin De Bruyne here, there and everywhere – if you want his shirt, Jakub, just wait until full-time – but the Belgian was all on his own to head home to get this demolition going.

Carlos Baleba – 5

Had to admire Brighton’s overall dedication to the press but often, Baleba and Co were chasing shadows. Only ever one winner in the battle of the midfields here.

Adam Lallana – 5

Hooked at half-time as Brighton tried desperately to get back into this game from 3-0 down. Not his night as he hardly made himself noticed in the 45 minutes he was on the field.

Joao Pedro felt he deserved a penalty when he was tripped in the box by Josko Gvardiol

Joao Pedro felt he deserved a penalty when he was tripped in the box by Josko Gvardiol

Pascal Gross – 5

Deflection helped Phil Foden score his controversial free-kick. Hoped to win a penalty at the start of the second half under pressure from Rodri but in truth, it would have been soft.

Joao Pedro – 5.5

Beaten to the ball by Ederson as he tried to kickstart an unlikely comeback. Felt he deserved a penalty when tripped by Josko Gvardiol but

read more from dailymail.....

PREV sport news Former world champion has just NINE months left on his WWE contract and insists ... trends now
NEXT sport news Piers Morgan names two current stars in his greatest Arsenal XI of all time... ... trends now