Brighton 0-5 Manchester City: Raheem Sterling hits hat-trick as dethroned champions produce five-star display

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Joe Krishnan11 July 2020

Raheem Sterling bagged a hat-trick as a dominant Manchester City side thrashed Brighton 5-0 at the Amex Stadium.

As ever, Pep Guardiola was more than happy to rotate his side with six changes in total - including an entirely different backline from the back four that played in the 5-0 win over Newcastle.

Despite the Catalan's wholesale changes, it did not appear to affect the fluency that his side played with Gabriel Jesus and Benjamin Mendy going close early on.

City were enjoying total domination of the ball and were looking in the mood to open the scoring, and a quarter of the way through, Raheem Sterling made his mark. Riyad Mahrez curled in from the right and Jesus chested to Sterling, who skipped past one marker before sending a low shot into the far corner.

Brighton's high-pressing may have worked well against Liverpool but they were coming undone against a far superior Man City side, who should have doubled the lead only for Mahrez and Jesus to squander chances, with the former hitting the crossbar.

AP

But Jesus finally did get his goal that his play deserved, tapping home from a Rodri knockdown on the stroke of half time as the scoreline finally reflected the visitors' dominance.

If there was any suggestion City would take their foot off the gas in the second half, they soon dispelled that theory. Kevin De Bruyne nearly rasped one of his trademark free-kicks into the top corner, only to find the woodwork in his way.

But Sterling would have no trouble in finding the net for his second of the night - and 26th in all competitions this season - heading home after a pinpoint delivery from Mahrez.

Four minutes later, it was four and this time Brighton were caught in defensive nightmare. Bernardo Silva's harmless looking effort squirmed out of Mat Ryan's gloves and Jesus set up the Portuguese for a tap-in.

Jesus looked far from pleased when withdrawn midway through the second half as Guardiola gave minutes to David Silva, John Stones and Phil Foden late on.

Sterling then sealed his hat-trick with a bizarre header as City tightened their grip on second place with another impressive performance.

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11 July 2020

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola speaks to Sky Sports before kick-off:

"We need one point to get the Champions League next season so we will try to achieve this. "We of course have one week until Wembley and then [Real] Madrid, so we try to maintain the results and performance we have. We need to arrive in these games in the best condition possible."

11 July 2020

Kevin De Bruyne is in the running for Player of the Year after a superb season for Manchester City.

He's in double figures for assists and goals. Will he add to his tally tonight?

Photo: PA

11 July 2020

Manchester City won't be too concerned about their position in the table today but they can lock down second place with a win at the Amex after Chelsea's defeat at Sheffield United.

That was one of Pep Guardiola's targets to finish the season, with the FA Cup and Champions League still very much in play.

If they were to end up in second and win both trophies, that would represent a fine finish to the campaign, even if they did lose their grip on the title.

11 July 2020

It wouldn't be a Manchester City game without Pep Guardiola ringing the changes. The Spaniard makes six changes to the one that brushed aside a helpless Newcastle last time out. That's Guardiola's 131st change to his starting XI this season, more than any other team.

Guardiola opts for an entirely changed back-four, with Walker, Laporte, Garcia and Mendy coming into the team, replacing Cancelo, Stones, Otamendi and Zinchenko. 

Elsewhere, Bernardo replaces David in the battle of the Silva's, with Sterling coming in

11 July 2020

So, Brighton make five changes to the side that lost 3-1 to Liverpool last time out. 

In come full-backs Bernardo and Montoya, while Bissouma and Mooy sit behind Connolly up top. 

Out go Dan Burn, Tariq Lamptey, Dale Stephens, Alexis Mac Allister and Neal Maupay, who all drop to the bench. 

11 July 2020

Man City team news 

Starting XI: ​Ederson, Walker, Eric Garcia, Laporte, Mendy, De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Mahrez, Gabriel Jesus, Sterling

Subs: Stones, Zinchenko, Silva, Fernandinho, Otamendi, Carson, Foden, Doyle, Palmer.

11 July 2020

Brighton team news 

Starting XI: Ryan, Montoya, Webster, Dunk, Bernardo, Bissouma, Propper, Gross, Mooy, Trossard, Connolly

Subs: Lamptey, Duffy, Stephens, Maupay, Mac Allister, Jahanbakhsh, Murray, Button, Burn.

11 July 2020

Guardiola challenges De Bruyne to lead Man City into new era

With Manchester City's Champions League future uncertain, the future of Kevin De Bruyne has also been up in the air.

But the club are increasingly confident he will stay regardless of the ban, with Pep Guardiola challenging the Belgian to lead City into a new era. 

Standard Sport understands he will not push for a move at the end of the season, despite previously saying he was "waiting" to see the verdict of the appeal. 

Photo: GettyOf De Bruyne, Guardiola said: “It depends on him. The leaders decide for themselves in their behaviour and how they behave on and off the pitch.

“It’s the relation to the team, how you think for the club. It comes naturally, without force.

“If it must come, it will come. It depends on him, it depends on especially his mates, if the other ones trust in him, in Kevin.”

11 July 2020

Man City to find out Champions League fate on Monday 

Of course, the focus for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City tonight is their Premier League encounter against Brighton. 

However, the Champions League will also be in the back of their minds. They will find out at 9:30am on Monday if their appeal against a two-year ban has been successful or not. 

City were punished for “serious breaches” of Financial Fair Play, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport have now reached a decision after hearing an appeal last month. 

Photo: GettyPep Guardiola is expecting positive news – saying he is convinced they will clear their name after seeing the evidence laid out to CAS.

On the day of the draw for the remaining stages of this season’s Champions League campaign, Guardiola made it clear he is planning for the future.

He said: “The intention is every season to play in the Champions League as best as possible. It’s not about Monday. On Monday I’m so confident because I know and hear the arguments of the club.

“Next season we will be there and after (the ruling) I will give my opinion and the club will give a statement.”

11 July 2020

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