Pep bites his nails but beats De Zerbi, as Magpies prove not all Eagles are that scary

Now you know why Pep Guardiola praises Roberto de Zerbi so much. Brighton and Hove Albion have once again proved to be more than a decent rival for the reigning champions, who struggled but somehow managed to save their 2-1 lead and clinch a critical victory, their first after two straight Premier League losses to Wolves and Arsenal.

In the first half at Etihad, the Cityzens rushed to a comfortable 2-0 lead, with their main man, Rodry, back in action. Along with recovered Stones, Bernardo Silva back at his natural position and with Alvarez and Haaland up front, City finally looked as it should - determined, balanced and well organized.

Doku danced on the left flank before passing it back to Alvarez, who reacted clumsily yet effectively enough to trick the Seagull's keeper and put his side 1-0 up. Breaking the deadlock so early seemed to have released the pressure off the Cityzens' back, and they were finally flying flawlessly high. As a result of that, Haaland shone again - his solo run and strike afterwards reminded us of the Norwegian's class. However, no one thought that this goal around the 20-minute mark would be the last positive thing we'll see from the home side tonight.

Albeit two goals down, the Seagulls somehow regrouped and managed to bounce back quite astonishingly. Mitoma was finding his way through City's high press, while second-half substitution Ansu Fati once again demonstrated he's still got some magic in those shoes. Fati punished City's sloppiness in the defensive line as Akanji's clearance reached Brighton's winger and all of a sudden, it was 2-1 on the scoreboard.

At that moment, you could see Guardiola and dozens of fans nervously biting their nails as they felt the danger was just around the corner.

The visitors also felt it was time for a total comeback, but despite some promising attacks and the fact Doku was sent off near the end, they just couldn't make that one effective final push. Pep has survived.

- Howe's stemaroller is not stopping -

They needed only 45 minutes to make a statement, brush their rival aside, rush to a landslide victory and prove they're in perfect form. Newcastle United celebrated a much-deserved 4-0 home win against Crystal Palace on Saturday night.

Despite an exciting battle in prospect, Eddie Howe and his boys left not even a tiny bit of hope for Roy Hodgson's slot at St. James' Park. Three goals in the opening 45 minutes in the back of the Eagles' net decided this one-sided fixture.

On the wings of inspired Jacob Murphy, who scored one and added two more assists to his name, the Magpies established a domination that instantly paid off for them.

Trippier found Murphy in the opponent's box very early, and although it seemed like the latter was about to launch a high cross, the ball suddenly went into the far corner and straight into the back of the net for jubilation and the emblematic ground.

That 4th-minute opener directed the course of the entire game, with Geordies doubling the lead in the dying minutes of the half. Firstly, it was Gordon who scored, redeeming himself for a sitter he missed a few minutes prior, before Longstaff wrapped up the game with Newcastle's third, as the clock was ticking 45+2.

The second half saw a decline in tempo, with Wilson jumping onto another Murphy's assist to seal the deal and make it 4-0 as Newcastle reach the 5th place on the table, at least temporarily.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 9

Saturday

Liverpool - Everton 2-0 (0-0)

/Salah 75 pen, 90+7/

Bournemouth - Wolverhampton 1-2 (1-0)

/Solanke 17 - Cunha 47, Kalajdzic 88/

Brentford - Burnley 3-0 (1-0)

/Wissa 25, Mbeumo 62, Ghoddos 87/

Man City - Brighton 2-1 (2-0)

/Alvarez 7, Haaland 19 - Fati 73/

Newcastle - Crystal Palace 4-0 (3-0)

/Murphy 4, Gordon 44, Longstaff 45+2, Willson 66/

Nott. Forest - Luton 2-2 (0-0)

/Wood 48, 66 - Ogbene 83, Adebayo 90+2/

Chelsea - Arsenal IN PROGRESS

22.00: (7.50) Sheffield Utd (4.60) Man.Utd. (1.42)

Sunday

18.30: (1.95) Aston Villa (3.70) West Ham (4.10)

Monday

22.00: (1.55) Tottenham (4.20) Fulham (5.90)

***odds are subject to change***