Raheem Sterling scores hat-trick as Manchester City dispatch Brighton in style

Having lost three consecutive away league matches for the first time in his managerial career, Pep Guardiola was never in danger of that record extending to four. This was normality resumed for him and his Manchester City players, who attacked with the intent of a side who had a point to prove and a statement to make.

Not for the first time, Raheem Sterling led the way. Manchester City’s top scorer of the season took his tally to 27 for the campaign with a hat-trick, making this the most prolific year of his career. The record books will not note that the third of his goals, which bounced off his head as he lay on the floor, was a complete accident. They all count and Sterling, whose numbers are becoming more impressive by the year, has every right to count them.

City will learn on Monday whether the appeal against their European ban has been successful. For now all they can do is pray and play, with the attacking trio in particular looking especially dangerous on a night that underlined the ability in this squad. If the Court of Arbitration for Sport judged these things on whether the best players should play in the best competitions, there would be no debate over City’s fate.

“It is their decision,” said Guardiola. “It’s important, of course it is. We won our qualification on the pitch. No one can have any doubt about this.” Is he confident the decision will go City’s way? “A lot,” he said.

Brighton could not even get close. Graham Potter’s team are all but guaranteed of safety from relegation, although a third defeat in four served as a reminder that their Premier League future is not quite secured yet. “We still need points, from my perspective,” said Potter. “We are still fighting for those.”

Admittedly, Brighton’s last three defeats at home have come against Manchester United, Liverpool and now City. It is not controversial to suggest they are a long way from being able to match the big teams, and a long way from being able to contain the likes of Sterling, Gabriel Jesus and Riyad Mahrez in this kind of form.

Sterling’s first showed his technical ability, firing low into the corner from range, and his second highlighted the predatory instincts that Guardiola has introduced to his game. The third was bizarre, the Englishman adding a prone headed nutmeg to his list of ways to beat opposition goalkeepers. “I have seen the keeper come out and I’ve headed it in,” claimed Sterling, unable to keep a straight face as he said it.

Jesus got the second, his second in two games, and the fourth came from Bernardo Silva, tapping into an empty net after Brighton goalkeeper Mathew Ryan had spilled a fierce shot. Not even an hour had passed by that stage, which was a damning indictment of Brighton’s lack of defensive solidity. “The second half was not pleasant for us,” said Potter.

City played with all the menace you might expect of a side that has had their pride stung a little this season. It could be seen in the sharpness of their passing and their frustration when an attack broke down. “Oh, come on guys!” yelled Kevin De Bruyne after one of his right-wing crosses went ignored by his team-mates.

The front three were energetic, with Jesus looking especially lively. There are lingering doubts over the Brazilian’s ability to lead this side in the absence of Sergio Aguero but the sharpness of his movement always seems to provide a threat, even if his finishing can let him down.

His first chance arrived after six minutes, when he headed wide from Benjamin Mendy’s cross. Already the opening goal felt inevitable. It came from the feet of Sterling, darting inside following a flick by Jesus. From the edge of the box, the finish was crisp.

Jesus made it two before the break, tapping in at the back post after Rodri had headed across the face of goal. Sterling’s header, from a Mahrez cross, brought the third before Bernardo rolled in the fourth. There was still time for Sterling’s fortuitous header, trickling through Ryan’s legs, to underline City’s dominance.