There’s plenty of records at stake – but the evening belongs to Yaya Toure, who bids farewell to home fans.
Victory would break Chelsea’s 2004-05 tally of 95 points and last season’s 30 victories.
Team News
Ederson Moraes missing his first Premier League start this season.
David Silva, Raheem Sterling, Kyle Walker, Nicolas Otamendi, Fabian Delph and John Stones are all rested, while Sergio Aguero remains side-lined with injury.
This is how City lined-up for the final home game of the season
Man City Starting XI: Bravo, Danilo, Kompany, Laporte, Zinchenko, Fernandinho, Yaya Toure, Gundogan, Sane, Bernardo, Jesus
Subs: Ederson, Foden, Diaz, Nmecha, De Bruyne, Mendy, Adarabioyo
Brighton XI:
🔢 Here’s how Albion line up for today’s @premierleague match against @ManCity at the Etihad Stadium. #BHAFC 🔶⚫ #MCIBHA pic.twitter.com/wAe6dFZUV3
— Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽ (@OfficialBHAFC) May 9, 2018
What Happened?
The visitors immediately looked well organised. With Danilo’s opener, the champions equal the record for most goals in a Premier League season of 103 goals. Brilliant through ball by Leroy Sane.
But Brighton stun the home side with immediate response. Bravo got caught off his line. Propper managed to round him and cross and there was Ulloa to head in the equaliser. 1-1.
City needed a response. Bernardo restores City’s lead of a Leroy Sane pull-back. That’s the record-breaker for City, who have now scored 104 Premier League goals this season.
The first half ended with Man City 2-1 Brighton.
RECORD: Man City have now scored more goals (104) in a single Premier League season than any other side in the competition’s history.
Scintillating football. 🔵🌙 pic.twitter.com/OlTwtPv8ET
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 9, 2018
In the second half, City resembled their dominance. The Blues were in no rush. Fernandinho fires home from just inside the box after a short corner. Hat-trick of assists for Leroy.
The home fans would love to see Yaya Toure bag one, but Toure cannot make his way through a crowd of defenders on the edge of the box. Yaya Toure is replaced by Lukas Nmecha. Standing ovation !! The entire City team walk over and give him a group hug as he makes his way off to rapturous applause.
Full Time Man City 3-1 Brighton
The Blues set three major Premier League records. Most goals, wins and points ever managed in a single Premier League season. Incredible.
Who said what:
Classy gesture by Yaya Toure
Toure’s first words of his farewell speech: “I’d like to wish Sir Alex Ferguson all the best.”
A special player. It’s been a pleasure watching him.
Vincent Kompany: “I just want to say thank you to this man. Thank you for being a wonderful teammate.”
“If anyone is going to be a legend at this Club, it’s this man.”
Hughton: “It was a tough evening – but that’s what we expected.”
“This is an exceptional Man City team.”
“City are the best footballing side I’ve seen in the Premier League. Their biggest asset is the pace and intensity…both ways.”
