PLAYER RATINGS: Phil Foden rewarded Pep Guardiola for granting him freedom and Kyle Walker was relentless, but which Brighton star learned a brutal lesson and got 4/10?

Manchester City closed the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Brighton on Thursday night.

Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring with a superb diving header, before two goals from Phil Foden gave Pep Guardiola’s side a 3-0 half-time advantage.

Substitute Julian Alvarez added to the score with a close-range finish after the hour as Man City easily negotiated a potentially tricky away mission.

The result saw Man City fall a point behind Arsenal, with the reigning champions still having a game in hand over their rivals as they bid to win a fourth consecutive title.

Mail Sport’s Kieran Gill rates the Amex Stadium players.

Phil Foden’s superb season continued with two more goals on Thursday at the Amex

Pep Guardiola’s side move one point behind leaders Arsenal after comfortable win

BRIGHTON (4-2-3-1)

Jason Steele – 5

There was virtually no chance of stopping any of Manchester City’s three goals in the first half. Always reliable when the ball was at his feet, unlike his defenders!

Joel Veltman – 5

He showed his frustration amid these moves by pushing the ball away to earn a booking, which contributed to him suffering the indignity of being hung up at halftime.

Lewis Dunk – 5

Funny to see him completely abandon his defensive line to follow Phil Foden wherever he went, in keeping with the man-to-man plan which fell apart as soon as Kevin De Bruyne returned home unmarked.

Jan Paul van Hecke – 5

Manchester City can be a nightmare to face. One moment, Julian Alvarez is your attacker. The next one is Phil Foden or Kevin De Bruyne.

Valentin Barco – 4

Possibly the worst way to mark your first Premier League start, with his assets contributing to this mess, like when he gave the ball to Phil Foden to score. I will learn from it.

Valentin Barco, center, marked his Premier League debut by giving the ball away for Foden’s second goal

Jakub Moder – 5

He followed Kevin De Bruyne here, there and everywhere – if you want his jersey, Jakub, just wait until you’re full-time – but the Belgian was all alone to return home to start this demolition.

Carlos Baleba – 5

I had to admire Brighton’s general dedication to the press, but often Baleba and Co were chasing shadows. Here, only one winner in the battle of the midfielders.

Adam Lallana – 5

Hanging on at half-time as Brighton desperately tried to get back into this game after 3-0 down. It was not his evening as he barely stood out during the 45 minutes he spent on the pitch.

Joao Pedro felt he deserved a penalty when he was tripped in the box by Josko Gvardiol.

Pascal Gross – 5

The deflection helped Phil Foden score his controversial free-kick. I was hoping to get a penalty early in the second half under pressure from Rodri but in truth it would have been mild.

João Pedro – 5.5

Beaten to the ball by Ederson as he attempted to launch an improbable comeback. He thought he deserved a penalty when it was tripped over by Josko Gvardiol, but clearly Brighton’s luck was not there.

Danny Welbeck – 5.5

There’s nothing to complain about his work rate, and I’m including his defensive duties. Had one last chance to score but summing up Brighton’s luck, he blew it and was substituted.

Substitutes

Simon Adingra (for Lallana, 45 years old) – 5.5

Odeluga Offiah (for Veltman, 45) – 5.5

Igor Julio (for Moder, 56) – 5.5

Mark Jeremiah O’Mahony (for Welbeck, 75) – 5.5

Director

Roberto De Zerbi – 5

He had a plan for his players to score a man each, but once they conceded, it all went downhill from there. Brighton were hardly helped by the refereeing, mind you!

MANCHESTER CITY (4-1-4-1)

Ederson – 7.5

Aside from the occasional save, Manchester City’s fourth goal of the evening came from an Ederson pass. Standing near his own penalty spot, he created this opportunity on his own. Outstanding.

Kyle Walker – 8

Totally relentless on the right wing, assisting Kevin De Bruyne for the opener and running to meet Ederson’s long ball when he fooled Valentin Barco by cutting inside.

Akanji Manual – 7

As Brighton faded from the back, Akanji and Co showed them how it was done. It’s worth remembering that he cost just £15 million when he signed. To bargain.

Nathan Ake – 7

He was unable to gain control of the ball when the first chance of the match fell to him. Don’t worry, Manchester City got the party started quickly, while the defenders did their job.

De Bruyne celebrates with Kyle Walker after the full-back assisted his goal in the first half

Josko Gvardiol – 7

With Phil Foden moving into more central positions, Gvardiol often had the left wing to himself. Perhaps lucky he didn’t award a penalty for a collision with Joao Pedro.

Rodri – 7.5

Midfield machine who won’t be beaten in the Premier League and replaced at 4-0 to save his legs for Nottingham Forest’s next challenge. The best in the business.

Bernardo Silva – 7

Prevented Valentin Barco from coming out of the box so Phil Foden could score his third goal. A tidy technician allowed Manchester City to advance well on the right.

Mateo Kovacic – 7

Often, Kovacic can go unnoticed, but perhaps that’s because he fulfills his role with such simplicity and ease. Masterful midfielder who is key to their playing patterns.

De Bruyne showed stunning technique to score his first Premier League headed goal

Kevin De Bruyne – 8

Followed here, there and everywhere by Jakub Moder, but all alone when he sent in his diving header to start this rout. Who knew he had this technique in his locker? Yeah.

Phil Foden – 8.5

Picking pockets anywhere and anytime, because Pep Guardiola realizes that special players deserve that freedom. Scored twice, including once after winning a free kick following a slip.

Julian Alvarez – 7

Got his goal – and Manchester City’s fourth – as his side tormented Brighton without Erling Haaland. There were other chances to score, such as a missed attempt when the angle was tight.

Foden was granted freedom by Pep Guardiola and played for Man City again this season

Substitutes

Jack Grealish (for Foden, 72) – 6

Matheus Nunez (for De Bruyne, 72) – 6

Jeremy Doku (for Silva, 78) – N/A

Sergio Gomez (for Rodri, 79) – N/A

Rico Lewis (for Walker, 79) – N/A

Director

Pep Guardiola – 7.5

A professional performance from a Manchester City team who know exactly what they have to do, the pressure is on. There are five wins left and the title is theirs.

Arbitrator

Jared Gillett – 4

Never a free kick. Phil Foden tripped over himself and no one else. Manchester City took advantage of Gillett’s kindness. The referee won no friends at Brighton.