PREM: Man City 2-0 Brighton

Raheem Sterling slid home to open the scoring with his fourth league goal in six appearances this season

Raheem Sterling scored one and made another as Manchester City eased past Brighton 2-0 at the Etihad in the Premier League on Saturday.

The win puts champions City back at the top of the Premier League on goal difference ahead of Liverpool, who drew 1-1 at Chelsea in the later Saturday kick off.

Sterling tapped home his fourth of the season at the far post (29) from Leroy Sane's cross, and Sergio Aguero added a second (65) from Sterling's unselfish assist just as Pep Guardiola was due to sub the Argentine off.

 

The result also means City are still unbeaten in the Premier League this season, while Brighton are now without a win in six in all competitions and sit 14th.

 

As expected, City dominated the ball in the first half, and their first clear chance brought the opener. After City won the ball on halfway, Aguero released Sane on the left, and his fine ball across the face of goal was tapped home at the far post by Sterling.

 

Mat Ryan was then tested twice in quick succession, first from Sterling's shot on the right of the box from an angle, and then again from Fernandinho's fierce long-range strike.

City should have extended their lead just after the break as Aguero saw a shot blocked brilliantly by Duffy, before David Silva's strike on the rebound from 15 yards was tipped away by Ryan again.

 

With Gabriel Jesus on the touchline waiting to replace him, Aguero started and finished a fine move for City's second. Picking the ball up deep, he skipped past three challenges, fed the unselfish Sterling, and received the ball back 12 yards out to slot home. That was his last action, as Guardiola stuck to his original plan.

Brighton offered very little in the final third, but did have a strong late appeal for a penalty waved away after Fernandinho looked to have handled from a corner.