Manchester
City notched up another convincing victory in the Premier League on Saturday as
they trumped Brighton and Hove Albion 4-1 to climb to second place in the league
table.

Iikay
Gundogan opened the score for the Cityzens in the 13th minute of the
game. City doubled and then tripled their lead within the span of just three
minutes when Phil Foden scored his quickfire double in the 28th and
then 31st minute of the game.

Brighton
pulled a goal back deep into the second half through an 81st-minute
penalty scored by Alexis Mac Allister but Riyad Mahrez restored the lead for the Cityzens back to three goals with a strike in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Foden was
exceptional in the absence of a regular striker for City. Foden took on both the
scoring and creative mantle for the Cityzens while playing in the false-nine role. The
21-year-old England international converted a pass from Jack Grealish at the
end of a breakaway, then saw a shot from Gabriel Jesus deflect in off his heel
to make it 3-0 at halftime. He showed his creative side too when he set up
Mahrez for the fourth City goal in second-half stoppage time.

City now
have 20 points from nine Premier League games, two less than leaders Chelsea
who scored seven past last-placed Norwich City. Brighton have accumulated 15
points from nine games and are currently placed fourth on the table.

Raheem Sterling scored a hat trick at Brighton two seasons ago but, with his City future unclear, he was not involved as Pep Guardiola pointed to a lack of fitness.

City’s players warmed up in shirts which carried the message “We’re with you Guido” — in support of Belgium-based supporter Guido De Pauw, who was attacked on his way home from the 5-1 win over Club Brugge in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The traveling fans also unfurled a banner with the same slogan of support as the teams emerged ahead of kickoff.

(With AP inputs)