9′ Tau has space on the break for the visitors, but he sends a wayward pass towards the edge of the box that Stones collects.
7′ BLOCK! Mahrez combines with Cancelo, who clips a cross to the back post. Foden collects and works an offload back to Zinchenko to strke, but he sees his effort blocked by a wall of yellow shirts.
5′ Brighton are knocking the ball around well in the middle of the park and have not been frightened to take the game to the home side.
3′ Foden tries to combine with Gundogan in the final third, but the German takes a heavy touch and sends the ball out for a goal-kick.
1′ We’re underway at the Etihad Stadium.
Brighton have never won an away league game against Man City in 10 previous attempts (D2 L8), losing their last six visits in a row between 1983 and 2019.
Brighton have made seven changes to their side that beat Newport in the FA Cup last time out. Sanchez replaces Steele in goal, while Burn starts in the back three next to Webster and Dunk. Propper, Veltman and Bernardo get starts in a four-man shield in front of the back three alongside White. Tau and Trossard join Mac Allister in the final third, with the South African forward making his first start. Yves Bissouma misses out due to suspension.
City have made four changes to their side from their 3-0 win over Birmingham City at the weekend. Ederson retakes his place between the posts after recovering from Covid-19. Stones slots into the back four in place of Walker, while Zinchenko starts ahead of Mendy at left-back. De Bruyne pushes forward to start in attack alongside Foden and Mahrez. Jesus drops to the bench as Gundogan gets the call to play in midfield. Sergio Aguero is still absent after being forced to quarantine.
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION SUBS: Neal Maupay, Pascal Gross, Solly March, Andi Zeqiri, Christian Walton, Max Sanders, Teddy Jenks, Jensen Weir, Reda Khadra.
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION (3-4-3): Robert Sanchez; Aaron Webster, Lewis Dunk, Dan Burn; Joel Veltman, Ben White, Davy Propper, Bernardo; Percy Tau, Leandro Trossard, Alexis Mac Allister.
MANCHESTER CITY SUBS: Kyle Walker, Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, Zack Steffen, Ferran Torres, Benjamin Mendy, Fernandinho, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Luke Mbete.
MANCHESTER CITY (4-3-3): Ederson; Joao Cancelo, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan; Riyad Mahrez, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden.
Brighton required penalties to beat Newport County in the FA Cup last time out. Jason Steele was the man on the spot for the Seagulls, saving four penalties to send Graham Potter’s men through to the fourth round. Their form in the Premier League has been desperate of late, failing to win their last eight matches. They did salvage a draw after trailing Wolves 3-1 last time out, but Brighton are in need of a victory to distance themselves from the relegation zone.
Manchester City are firing on all cylinders after reeling off six wins on the bounce in all competitions. Pep Guardiola’s men overcame Manchester United and Birmingham in the EFL Cup and FA Cup respectively to continue their strong run. The Citizens now turn their attention back to the Premier League where they can put the pressure back on their city rivals at the top by adding another win to their collection against Brighton this evening.
Good evening and welcome to the live commentary of the Premier League clash between Manchester City and Brighton and Hove Albion at the Etihad Stadium.
