Premier League: Manchester City VS Brighton: Erling Haaland scores a brace for City's eighth win of the season

Haaland first scored after running onto a clever ball from goalkeeper Ederson before getting past Brighton keeper Roberto Sanchez and shooting into an empty net.

His second goal came from the penalty spot, through a penalty that might have seemed dubious initially but involved definite contact.

Lewis Dunk was adjudged to have fouled Bernardo Silva after a VAR check, even though replays made it appear as if Bernardo was sticking a leg out at the time of contact in a bid to draw a further foul.

Nevertheless, the decision stood, and Haaland confidently stepped up to dispatch the spot kick to the left of Sanchez. The City went into the break 2-0 up.

It didn't look like much would change for either side after the interval. However, Brighton looked more cohesive at the start of the second half and unexpectedly pulled a goal back.

The goal came courtesy of Leandro Trossard, who converted a shot from the left side of the penalty area and past Ederson's near post.

Suddenly the game looked alive. Brighton pushed forward hard in search of an equalizer. However, the problem with that strategy was that they left themselves susceptible to counters from City.

Indeed, City weathered the storm and began finding space to operate. Haaland saw a shot saved that might have given him yet another hat trick.

Aymeric Laporte also went close, getting on the end of a corner from Kevin de Bruyne, but he missed the target.

It wasn't until the 75th minute that the game was out to bed. Another City break saw Bernardo square the ball to De Bruyne, who was outside the box and in space.

With the time to unleash a shot, the Belgian midfielder did just that as he hit the ball across the goal and into the top left corner.

The game was done at that point – any hopes of another Brighton comeback were snuffed out, and City went away with all three points.

Afterwards, Guardiola admitted he was relieved to have gone away with the win, given the quality of Brighton.

"We struggled a bit; it's one of the toughest games you could face at the moment, but very important three points after the defeat at Anfield (to Liverpool).

"With the ball they have incredible quality and they are a really good team. In those moments we had to be resilient and we knew the game would be tough until the end."

Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi was disappointed at a loss but proud of the way his team fared in the second half.

"I think in the first half, we were a little afraid, and then maybe we changed the mentality in the second half. The players wanted to score a goal and open the game.

"We had a chance to score for 2-2 but in the second half we played very, very well."

The win keeps City at second, but they're only one point behind Arsenal. Brighton remains in 8th, ahead of Fulham on goal difference.