Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said to Sky Sports: “We have been here in the past but it doesn’t mean it is going to happen [win the title]. We have to do the things to make it happen. We know Brighton never give up and in the first half we found the right rhythm and we scored in the right moments. In the right moments, we punished them. Brighton away is always very tough.”

When asked about closing the goal difference to Arsenal, he added: “It is difficult to cut. The margin is so big. They score a lot of goals and don’t concede. The main thing is to win the game. We have five games left and they are tough ones. One game at a time. Now recover and then Nottingham Forest.”

Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden said to Sky Sports: “There are a challenging team. They like to go man-to-man. I think with Kev’s first goal and a bit lucky with my first one, we grew into the game. I think we were frightened going forward.

“I have always said that I see myself centrally. This year I have moved inside and it has helped me massively. I enjoy it in the middle. It’s where I want to be. At the moment, I am just enjoying my football and playing with freedom.”

De Bruyne added: “I think when Pep arrived there was a lot of information coming at us and a lot of meetings and tactical sessions. I understand what Pep wants and he understands what I am good at and my weaknesses.

“Now he prefers me to press from the front and I just try to do the job I need to do. I try to find space in the pockets and try to help my team-mates score as much as possible. If you play with good players, I need to be at my best.”

When asked about the title race, he said: “I trust my team. All respect to Liverpool and Arsenal, they are amazing. Arsenal are doing what they need to do and we are also needing to do it. Work hard and be humble enough to keep pushing.”

“I think he will end up centrally. I saw Phil from the beginning and I think it takes a while to get used to a Pep team,” De Bruyne said to Sky Sports.

“I think now he is trusted to play centrally and Phil does what he does for six or seven years already. He has been doing this for years, has helped us win titles and he has gone up another level.”

Manchester City goalscorer Kevin de Bruyne said to Sky Sports: “It was a good game. I think we played really good in the first half and every game is a lot of pressure. All we can do is prepare as we did today and win the game that is in front of us.”

When asked about his header, the midfielder added: “It doesn’t happen too much. Kyle [Walker] gave a good cross and I think the only way I could reach it is by jumping to it. I will take it but it’s not something I am good at!”

Manchester City closed the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to a single point after Phil Foden’s first-half double helped inspire a resounding 4-0 victory over Brighton.

Kevin De Bruyne’s eye-catching diving header set Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions on course for a comprehensive success at a soggy Amex Stadium.

City, who have a game in hand on the table-topping Gunners, were in complete control by the break as Foden moved past 50 top-flight goals with a quick-fire brace, before Julian Alvarez completed the rout in the second period.

FT: The whistle blows and the result has not been in any doubt since Phil Foden scored his 50th Premier League goal, and Manchester City remain on track for an unprecedented fourth league title in a row.

90+4’ SAVE! Doku is denied the chance to score a fifth goal for Man City, when Steele sticks out his leg at the right time to make the save.

Doku was picked out perfectly by Alvarez.

90+3’ Brighton have a corner and a final chance, it’s headed away and the home side pass it back to their goalkeeper.

90+1’ There will be five added minutes at the end of this match at the Amex Stadium.