Man City's Premier League reign continues as they beat Brighton, regain top spot - 4 key takeaways!

Manchester City displayed their ruthless best against Brighton, reminding the Premier League that they are the benchmark. Rodri's return and Haaland's goal were highlights.

Manchester City's performance against Brighton may have been a rollercoaster ride, but it certainly wasn't a crisis. Despite a dip in form before the international break, City showed their ruthless side in the early stages of the game, reminding the Premier League why they are the benchmark team. The return of Rodri was a welcome boost for the champions, as they looked back to their best.

The match started with Julian Alvarez benefiting from Jeremy Doku's impressive footwork to give City an early lead. Erling Haaland then showcased his goal-scoring prowess with a trademark rifled finish, making it 2-0 before Brighton could even mount a sustained attack. However, Brighton managed to catch City off guard with a goal from Ansu Fati in the 70th minute, giving them hope. Despite Manuel Akanji's late red card, City held on for the win.

One of the key talking points of the game was Pep Guardiola's decision to drop Ederson and start Stefan Ortega in goal. This move seemed to be inspired by Mikel Arteta's handling of goalkeepers at Arsenal. Guardiola wanted to eliminate any complacency within the squad and remind everyone that no player is undroppable. Ortega's excellent ball-playing ability helped City deal with Brighton's press effectively, proving that he is a world-class backup goalkeeper.

Another noteworthy development was the emergence of Jeremy Doku as a potential threat to Jack Grealish's position in the team. Grealish has struggled to maintain his form from last season and has regressed into old habits. In contrast, Doku has brought a free-spirited energy to the team and played a crucial role in setting up the first goal against Brighton. It remains to be seen whether Doku will continue to keep Grealish out of the starting lineup.

The importance of Rodri cannot be overstated. City is a different team when he is in the midfield. His discipline and control bring stability to the team, and his absence was felt during City's difficult run of form before the international break. Losing him again could jeopardize City's chances of defending their titles.

And let's not forget about Erling Haaland. While this season hasn't been as spectacular as the last, he reminded everyone of his goal-scoring prowess with a fantastic strike against Brighton. Haaland is a player who thrives on space, and if given the opportunity, he will punish the opposition.

Overall, despite some ups and downs, Manchester City showed their quality against Brighton. They proved once again why they are the team to beat in the Premier League. With the return of key players like Rodri and the presence of talented individuals like Haaland and Doku, City has the potential to continue their dominance in English football.

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