Manchester City made it back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time this season with a comfortable 4-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion at The Etihad. Kevin De Bruyne opened up the scoring after just two minutes, followed by a brace before the hour mark from Sergio Aguero (who the Luck Index showed missed out on the Golden Boot last season) and a late fourth from Bernardo Silva.
Positives
Getting De Bruyne back on the scoresheet will have done the Belgian the world of good, and his early opener allowed City to breeze through the game without a great deal of exertion.
Negatives
Aymeric Laporte was carried off in the first half with what looked like a serious knee injury, and boss Pep Guardiola will be sweating over the centre-back's fitness with the Champions League group stage kicking off in just over a fortnight.
Manager rating out of 10
6 -- Brighton can be a tough nut to crack, but Guardiola had his side sufficiently fired up to get the breakthrough in the opening couple of minutes and they only pushed on from there.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best, players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Ederson, 6 -- The Brazilian didn't have too much to do, but had to be alert to prevent Brighton's Leandro Trossard with a one-handed save at 2-0
DF Kyle Walker, 6 -- Was given occasional food for thought by the tricky Trossard, but was otherwise untroubled in a relatively quiet afternoon for the former Spurs man.
DF Nicolas Otamendi, 6 -- Did well to ensure a makeshift defence remained organised as Brighton plugged away, but had a couple of sloppy moments in possession.
DF Aymeric Laporte, 5 -- Forced off after 35 minutes after injuring his knee while attempting to tackle Brighton's Aaron Webster -- a challenge that he was yellow carded for whilst receiving treatment.
DF Oleksandr Zinchenko, 7 -- A beautiful slide-rule pass released David Silva in the Brighton penalty area for City's opener, and the Ukrainian was always looking for the ball on City's left.
MF Rodri, 7 -- The summer signing from Atletico Madrid looks like he has been playing in this Manchester City side for years, and his good work at the base of the midfield allowed the likes of David Silva and De Bruyne to really express themselves.
MF David Silva, 8 -- The game was barely a minute old when the Spaniard pulled the ball back for De Bruyne to tuck away the first of the day. Later provided a perfectly-weighted pass for Aguero to control and curl home for 3-0.
MF Kevin De Bruyne, 8 -- A slightly scruffy finish for what was his first goal since the FA Cup Final win against Watford in May, and provided the pass for Aguero to make the score 2-0 in what was a welcome return to form.
MF Riyad Mahrez, 7 -- Showed plenty of intent on his first start at the Etihad this season, and was a constant threat on the right wing. Played a lovely back-heel in the build-up for City's second goal.
MF Raheem Sterling, 6 -- If one or two final balls were better then Sterling would certainly have been on the scoresheet on what was a frustrating afternoon for the England man. Failed to score in the Premier League for the first time this season.
FW Sergio Aguero, 8 -- Capped off a beautiful team move with an emphatic finish into the roof of the net for 2-0 just before half-time, followed by a sublime strike into the top corner to put the game to bed shortly after the intermission.
Substitutes
MF Fernandinho, 6 -- Filled the void left at centre-back by Laporte's injury, and efficiently cut out a couple of promising Brighton openings.
MF Ilkay Gundogan, 6 -- Slotted into midfield and allowed De Bruyne to put his feet up for the final 20 minutes.
MF Bernardo Silva N/R -- Found the net within 10 seconds of his introduction, coolly finishing into the bottom corner for 4-0.