Media review: Manchester City

Albion’s display in the 3-1 defeat away to Manchester City won plaudits, if no points. Most of the northern football writers appreciated that the Seagulls had given a far less passive performance than most sides visiting the Etihad and few were deceived by City’s 2-0 half-time lead into thinking that it had been the usual stroll for Pep Guardiola’s men.

The reaction of the home supporters was enough to convince Jack Gaughan of the Mail on Sunday. “That harmonious groaning, the constant humming of disapproval inside a stadium from supporters of the favourites of any given game is beautifully comforting,” he wrote. “Evidence that a proper game is taking place. This was certainly one of those.

“Roberto De Zerbi might still be searching for a first victory as Brighton manager but signs of serious encouragement are there. They left having boasted the majority of possession and nobody manages that here.

“It was the sort of away performance that saw Pep Guardiola bristle inside his technical area – even more so than usual – and have a fair few disagreements with Manchester City’s players. Again, even more than usual.

“City were under the pump for 20 second-half minutes and everybody here knew it. Plenty of nervousness. Brighton appeared ready to snatch something. And then Kevin De Bruyne took the ball on in the 75th minute. And then this was over.

“Murmuring became relief, City bouncing back from last week’s defeat at Anfield but it was not stroll. The usually imperious Rodri had a tough day, with one animated discussion with Guardiola making it clear the two were not on the same page as Brighton went man-for-man and closed down space. Their premier central midfielder Moises Caicedo indicated why he is being courted by the biggest clubs.

“The suggestions of this proving troublesome were there early. Brighton made this into cat and mouse contest, patiently refusing to engage with City’s back four. The hosts could not pass through the stubborn lines and were not pleased about it.”

Of course, City still have the weapons to score even when not on top and should not really need help from the officials. Phil Thomas questioned the award of the penalty from which Erling Haaland doubled City’s lead in the The Sun on Sunday.

“To be honest, City were hardly stampeding towards Craig Pawson and few inside the Etihad thought much of it,” he wrote. “Bernardo aside, that is. Although given the Portuguese winger would be ready to fight the world if a throw-in goes the wrong way, again no-one thought too much of it.

“Yet suddenly referee Pawson got the call to stop the action and check out the incident himself. Everyone knew the outcome after that. Asking an official to review his decision when the ball is out of play is one thing. Actually stopping it to do so is effectively telling him ‘you’ve got it wrong.’

“And in truth, it was hard – even after forensic checks – to say he had. Yes, there was contact, but stemming from Silva leaving his leg to ensure it. Dunk’s foot was already planted.”

Simon Stone was also sympathetic on the BBC website, writing that “there were Brighton grievances against both City's first-half goals.

“Webster was still complaining to referee Craig Pawson at the break that he was fouled by Haaland for the opening goal, while central defensive partner Dunk argued that Silva kicked him rather than the other way round for the penalty. They were both debatable calls - and the type visiting teams need to go their way if they are to leave Etihad Stadium with anything.”

Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News, agreed that City’s 2-0 half-time lead had hardly reflected the balance of the game.

“Brighton had the potential to be a difficult afternoon for the defending champions, with Roberto De Zerbi's team an unknown quantity in their infancy but they have already taken a better result away from Anfield than City managed,” he wrote. “Their pressing from the beginning was intense, and at times in the first half they were able to do what few opponents can - especially at the Etihad - and box the Blues into their own third.”

Of the second half, he wrote: “Seconds after Riyad Mahrez had spurned a good chance to finish a flowing team move, Manu Akanji was bested on the right flank and Ederson beaten at his near post by Leandro Trossard to make it 2-1.

“That brought unnecessary nerves, and Brighton - buoyed by their manager bellowing at every opportunity from the sidelines - poured forward in search of an equaliser. Ederson was busier than anyone would have liked him to be for a period. Step forward De Bruyne though, curling a beauty past Sanchez from 25 yards to restore the two-goal cushion and effectively kill the contest with 15 minutes to spare.”

Jamie Jackson pointed out in The Observer that “Roberto De Zerbi’s team showed courage and a high collective talent. Their problem was this - Guardiola and his City players ooze these characteristics.

“At 2-0 Brighton could tell themselves they still had a sniff but City were ahead without ever going through all those well-grooved gears that obliterate so many opponents. When Kevin De Bruyne punched a hole in the Seagulls and teed up Riyad Mahrez 3-0 seemed inevitable.

“But the Algerian blazed straight at Sánchez and, moments later, Brighton struck. Manuel Akanji was pilfered by Leandro Trossard who swapped passes with Solly March and Trossard’s 20-yard finish squeezed in at Ederson’s near post, the goalkeeper at fault.

“This had Guardiola turning in disgust and those in orange rallied further. Tariq Lamptey, a substitute, dinked the ball in and Trossard again beat Akanji but his header missed. Mahrez, De Bruyne and Haaland all probed yet City were far from their swashbuckling best.

“Brighton were proving a serious foe and the champions were in a contest, Trossard was a standout performer whose next act featured a chip towards Danny Welbeck, and when play moved down the other end Pascal Gross’s scythe of Rodri illustrated their edge.

“Phil Foden was brought on - always a tell of Guardiola’s concern when a rested big gun is sent for – with Mahrez the fall guy for his miss. City needed the cushion of a third. It was a struggle. Brighton could be proud but City are too: having to scrap all afternoon and emerge on top.”

In the Sunday Times, Paul Rowan felt that Albion only got their just rewards after the break: “Brighton, however, still refused to take a backward step. Mahrez should have put the game to bed when he was played through after a surging run by De Bruyne, but Sánchez saved well with his feet.

“To build on his good work, in the 52nd minute the Brighton goalkeeper then took a leaf out of Ederson’s book with a long clearance which Laporte and Manuel Akanji failed to deal with properly. That allowed Solly March to move the ball to Trossard, who cut inside and beat Ederson at his near post with a fierce shot from the edge of the box.

“Brighton then enjoyed their best spell of the game, with Tariq Lamptey — on as a half-time substitute for Adam Lallana – lively down the right flank. But it was Trossard who again posed the biggest threat on the other side, availing of another misjudgement by Akanji to bear down on the City goal, only for Ederson to save the shot well with his feet. It was end-to-end stuff, but City’s superior firepower then put them out of sight in the 75th minute.”

Luke Edwards of the Sunday Telegraph saw it the same way: “Manchester City are a sensational football team, one of the best this country has seen, which means credit must be given to Brighton for how hard they made them work for the three points in the second half.

“After Trossard’s goal, there was a 10 to 15 minute spell when Roberto De Zerbi’s side took the game to their hosts and made the home fans shift uncomfortably in their seats, but City always looked capable of scoring again if they needed to and did, with 15 minutes remaining through their puppet master Kevin De Bruyne.”