Premier League Report: Manchester City v Brighton and Hove Albion

Premier League

Result: Manchester City1-0 Brighton and Hove Albion

Date: 13 January 2021

Venue: Etihad

Percy Tau finally made his Premier League debut as Brighton and Hove Albion suffered a narrow 1-0 loss to Manchester City on Wednesday night.

Read: Impressive Tau Makes Winning Debut For Brighton 

Man City made four changes, as goalkeeper Ederson was recalled alongside John Stones, Oleksandr Zinchenko and IIkay Gundogan while Tau made his first league start for Brighton.

City were on the front foot in the early exchanges as Kevin De Bruyne came close to giving them the lead in the 14th minute after carving out space at the near post but his low strike was saved by goalkeeper Robert Sanchez with his leg.

The Seagulls were absorbing the pressure and looking for chances on counter-attacks, with Tau impressive with his link-up play on the right side of attack but they lacked the final pass.

After thwarting the Citizens a couple of times, Sanchez was finally beaten on the brink of half-time after Phil Foden cut inside from the left with pace and found the bottom corner with a neat struck from the edge of the box.

Riyad Mahrez should have doubled their lead two minutes before the hour-mark after going clear on the right side of the box but his low curler missed by a whisker.

With the Citizens pushing for a second goal, Bernardo Silva had a wonderful chance to get on the scoresheet two minutes later after a receiving a pass in the centre of the box from a rebound but his curling strike rattled the post.

Guardiola made his first change in the 67th minute, bringing on Gabriel Jesus in place of Foden for fresh legs while Graham Potter made a double change immediately thereafter, with Neal Maupay coming on for Tau and Solomon March replaced Davy Propper.

With Brighton putting City under pressure as the half went on,  Brighton conceded a penalty in second-half stoppage time for Sanchez's foul on De Bruyne but his blushes were saved after Sterling sent his spot-kick over the bar.

Nevertheless, City did just enough to clinch a narrow win that took them up to third on the table while Brighton sit in 17th minute.

Click through the gallery below to the 14 South African players who've played in the Premier League.