Report: Manchester City dominate Brighton to win Premier League season opener

Manchester City kicked off their season in a positive way thanks to a 2-0 away victory against Brighton & Hove Albion at The Amex Stadium. The Blue dominated the entire match and showed patience to find the goals that gave them three key points to start the campaign on a high.

FIRST HALF

From the very first minute the visitors were on top of things, having nearly 80% possession and creating many chances with smart passing and movement. Gabriel Jesus had the two biggest opportunities of the half: in the first, he had a goal ruled off after a handball, and in the second chance Brighton goalkeeper Matthew Ryan made a wondeful save on Jesus’ header inside the six-year box.

City had a few other opportunities, and Brighton only had a half-chance on a header that Éderson easily claimed. At halftime, we were scoreless but City were on top and looked ready to score.

SECOND HALF

The final period started with a very dangerous chance for Brighton when Shane Duffy fired a shot just wide of the right post, but the rest of the half went just like the first 45 minutes: City were dominant and created some good chances, including a shot from Kevin De Bruyne that Lewis Dunk clearly blocked with his right hand. Michael Oliver denied City a penalty, but the Blues would find the goal shortly after.

De Bruyne recovered a ball high up the pitch and found David Silva in the middle. The Spaniard made a great one-touch pass to Sergio Agüero, who easily found the back of the net to put the visitors ahead. Five minutes later, Fernandinho played a cross for Gabriel Jesus in the box but Dunk got to the ball before the Brazilian did and headed the ball into his own net.

City kept the ball and the two-goal lead in the final 15 minutes to confirm the victory, keep a clean sheet and start the league season with a solid performance and a great result at one of the toughest stadiums in the Premier League.

The Blues will now travel to Spain for a four-day training camp and a friendly against Girona before they return for their home opener against Everton at the Etihad.

Brighton: Ryan; Bruno, Duffy, Dunk, Suttner; March (Knockaert), Stephens, Pröpper, Brown (Murphy); Gross; Hemed (Murray)

Goals: None

Man City: Éderson; Kompany, Stones, Otamendi; Fernandinho; Walker, De Bruyne, Silva, Danilo (Sané); Agüero (Bernardo), G.Jesus (Sterling)

Goals: Agüero (70’), Dunk (O.G. 75’)