Four things we learned as Man City beat Brighton and go back top of Prem

It's far from a crisis at Manchester City – even if they went from their spellbinding best to being caught cold in the second half.

Brighton are a European-standard team but City were at their ruthless best in the early stages to brush them to one side and remind the Premier League that they are the benchmark.

Rodri's return was welcomed by the champions, who after a torrid run of form domestically before the international break looked back to their best.

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CJulian Alvarez benefitted from Jeremy Doku's silky footwork to give the hosts the lead after just seven minutes. Erling Haaland then produced a trademark rifled finish to ensure it was two before Brighton barely had the chance to build any kind of sustained attack.

Brighton's goal, which came when Ansu Fati pounced on Manuel Akanji's error in the 70th minute, came during the visitor's first real sustained period of possession. It caught City by surprise but perhaps it was the wake-up call they needed – because as is often the case with City, it was feeling a little too easy.

Manuel Akanji was sent off late on for the hosts but they held on. Here are four key takeaways from the Etihad…

Ortega keeps Ederson on his toes

It was previously Mikel Arteta following the lead of Pep Guardiola, now the master appears to be learning from the apprentice.

The headline news before the game was undoubtedly that Ederson was dropped to the bench by Pep Guardiola. In comes Stefan Ortega in what some could consider a nod to the way Arteta has deal with Aaron Ramsdale and David Raya at Arsenal.

But why shouldn't he? Yes, Ederson is one of the best goalkeepers in the world but after City's tricky run of form, why not banish any chance of complacency sneaking in by reminding the whole squad that nobody is undroppable. Plus, in Ortega, City have a genuinely world class back-up and his excellent ball-playing ability as City dealt with Brighton's press ensured that the home side did not miss the man who would normally be the first name on a Premier League teamsheet.

Doku is proving a problem for Grealish

Jack Grealish's unstoppable form last season is nothing more than a distant memory at this point. Guardiola has always liked competition for places and it wasn't necessarily a surprise that Jeremy Doku arrived to provide another option down the left-hand side which Grealish had made his own.

But just how quickly Grealish has lost that position is quite something. Grealish has regressed back into the old habits which saw him struggle in his first season at City. There is no flair, no excitement and no creativity. It's starting to become always sidewards and negative when he has the ball.

Doku, on the other hand, has come into the City team like a free spirit and the creation of the first goal in this game against Brighton proved just why he is getting the nod on that side. He twisted, turned and put the ball on a plate for Julian Alvarez to wrong-foot Jason Steele in the Brighton goal.

Do you think Doku will keep Grealish out of the City team? Let us know in the comments section below

Rodri's importance cannot be understated

Sometimes, you have to state the obvious: Rodri is a bloody good football. Manchester City are noticeably different team when he is in the middle of the park. In comparison to the Arsenal game where City struggled to stamp their authority on the game, there were no such problems with Rodri back in the middle of the park for this one.

Everything that City do comes from the Spaniard. He brings discipline to the midfield and very few teams have ever been able to get the better of him. We saw how big of a loss he was when he was suspended before the international break. If City were to lose him again, the defences of any of their trophies could be in jeopardy.

Remember that Haaland bloke?

You didn't forget about him, did you? This season has been far from the glorious heights he reached last season but there was a timely reminder – not that we ever needed one – of just what he can do.

City's second goal was classic Haaland. He found a bit of space on the edge of the box and with a swing of the left foot, City had doubled their lead. Give him space and you will be punished.

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