Brighton 0 Manchester City 4

I was at the Amex for Brighton’s first ever game in the Premiership against Manchester City. When I looked at the comparative benches (I believe the City one contained Raheem Sterling) I feared for Brighton.

We hung in there for an hour till Dale Stephens made an error in losing possession from which City scored.

Six years on, there was still the same difference.

City had much the stronger squad whilst Brighton made crucial errors.

Brighton’s problems were accentuated by an ever-growing injury list.

We could not call upon Pervis Estupinan, Kouru Mitoma, Billy Gilmour or (long term) Solly March.

We never really laid a punch on City and 4-0 was a fair reflection.

Needless to say, the know-alls on Radio 5 glowed about Pep Guardiola but it’s arguable that Brighton – who have sold off all their best players and lost their head coach Graham Potter and backroom staff – have had the bigger achievement in competing in two competitions this season (the Europa League and Premier).

Chairman Tony Bloom is a wealthy man but he cannot compete with Manchester City who can afford everybody and anybody.

Despite only 1 win in the last 8 games this has arguably been Brighton’s most successful season ever.

Over at Hove, Sussex now top the division two League with two draws and a win.

Chet Pujara is the type of calm run accumulator to get us over the line against Gloucestershire last Monday, whilst Tom Haines has already notched two centuries.

There is something of the ‘Lord Ted’ Dexter raffish Buccaneer about young James Coles of whom coach Paul Farbrace has high hopes.