Manchester City Extends Gap at the Premier League Summit with Thrilling WinManchester City Extends Gap at the Premier League Summit with Thrilling Win Manchester City solidified their position at the apex of the Premier League table with a pulsating 3-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at the Etihad Stadium. The triumph extended the Citizens’ lead over second-placed Arsenal to eight points. The match began at a frantic pace, with both sides trading blows in the opening exchanges. Manchester City threatened first through Erling Haaland, but his effort was well saved by Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sánchez. However, the hosts eventually broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute when Phil Foden’s incisive pass found Riyad Mahrez, who slotted the ball home with aplomb. Brighton refused to be disheartened and drew level just six minutes later. Leandro Trossard capitalized on a loose ball in the City defense and fired a stunning shot into the top corner. The second half saw Manchester City dominate possession and create numerous chances. Haaland, who was making his return from injury, had a golden opportunity to restore City’s lead but squandered it with a poor header. Just when it seemed that the game might end in a draw, Foden struck a decisive blow in the 75th minute. The England international received a pass from Mahrez and unleashed a powerful drive that flew into the far corner. Substitute Julian Alvarez sealed the victory for Manchester City in the dying minutes with a close-range finish. The goal was the Argentine’s first in the Premier League since October. The result extends Manchester City’s winning streak to five matches in all competitions. The Citizens are now eight points clear of Arsenal, who have a game in hand. Brighton, meanwhile, remain 12th in the standings but will be encouraged by their performance against the league leaders. The win is a testament to Manchester City’s resilience and quality. Despite suffering a number of setbacks in recent weeks, Pep Guardiola’s side have responded magnificently to maintain their grip on the Premier League title race.
