Manchester City retained the Premier League title courtesy of a 4-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on the final matchday of the 2018-19 campaign.
City entered the clash at the Amex one point clear of second-placed Liverpool, knowing that a victory over the Seagulls would see them become the first side to retain the Premier League title for 10 years.
Liverpool kept to their end of the bargain by beating Wolverhampton Wanderers to move onto 97 points for the campaign, but City's success saw them end on 98 points at the conclusion of a stunning title race.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the Premier League clash between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester City from the Amex. It is simple for City - win this afternoon and they will retain the Premier League title, becoming the first team in 10 years to do so. Any slip, though, would open the door for second-placed Liverpool - who entertain Wolverhampton Wanderers - as an incredible title race reaches its conclusion. Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute updates!
TEAMS!
BRIGHTON: Ryan; Bernardo, Dunk, Duffy, Bruno; Jahanbakhsh, Bissouma, Kayal, Knockaert; Gross; Murray
MAN CITY: Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Laporte, Zinchenko; D Silva, Gundogan, B Silva; Mahrez, Aguero, Sterling
There are spots for Anthony Knockaert and Beram Kayal in the Brighton XI this afternoon, but it will once again be Pascal Gross supporting Glenn Murray in what is a 4-4-1-1 formation. It will be a special day for Brighton captain Bruno, meanwhile, who will retire from football after this clash with the Citizens. Can Chris Hughton's side cause a huge upset here?
City's team shows one change from the one that started against Leicester City on Monday night, with Riyad Mahrez coming in for Phil Foden. Fernandinho misses out altogerher, meaning that Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva will start alongside David Silva in midfield. Leroy Sane is once again on the bench alongside the likes of Gabriel Jesus, while Kevin De Bruyne has been deemed fit enough for the bench. Will the champions need the Belgian?
Stay tuned for our live minute-by-minute coverage of the action from the Amex, while you can follow our overview of this afternoon's top-flight fixtures right here!
KICKOFF: Brighton kick things off here...
... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium, and why not? Brighton are under absolutely no pressure here. They can simply enjoy the match!
It has been a decent start from the home side, with Bruno - who will retire after this match - already hitting a couple of long balls towards Murray. It would be some turn up if Brighton managed to take the lead in this match. Can Hughton's side cause a massive, massive upset?
Bernardo Silva dances into the Brighton box and looks to release a shot, but the attacker is crowded out at the vital moment. It was wonderful, wonderful work from Bernardo Silva.
Decent period for the home side in the last couple of minutes, with Knockaert delivering a wonderful cross into the City box. Murray goes up with Kompany and actually wins the header, but the offside flag was raised. Still goalless at Anfield, and indeed goalless at the Amex.
SHOT! Good stuff from Brighton as Jahanbakhsh finds space in a forward position before striking towards goal, but his effort is just wide of the post. Really good from the home side.
Sterling delivers a dangerous cross into the Brighton box, but Aguero cannot make proper contact with the header and eventually the ball goes behind for a goal kick to the hosts.
City win a corner through Aguero and Gundogan delivers, but Duffy is up to make the clearance, which brings a huge cheer from the crowd. Still goalless at the Amex here.
Sterling is playing in a central position at the moment, and he has not seen too much of the ball. It would not be a surprise to see Guardiola make a switch in the next few minutes.
Just a reminder that City can indeed draw or lose this match and still win the title, but that would rely on Liverpool slipping up against Wolves, who have had a wonderful campaign. Zinchenko just delivered a dangerous cross into the Brighton box, but there are no takers.
UPDATE! Liverpool have taken the lead against Wolves through Sadio Mane.
SAVE! Ryan has to keep out a long-range effort from Sterling!
SHOT! Aguero strikes wide of the Brighton post from distance.
All City at the moment in terms of pressure - it is almost as if the champions know that Liverpool have taken the lead. There is still a long, long way to go this afternoon, though.
SAVE! Ryan now has to make a better save to keep out a strike from Mahrez inside the box!
Pass, pass, pass from City as they look to work space in the final third. Just a reminder that De Bruyne is on the bench this afternoon - will the talented Belgian be needed? Liverpool are winning the title as it stands, with Mane's goal giving them the lead against Wolves.
GOAL! BRIGHTON 1-0 MAN CITY (MURRAY)
Huge, huge moment here as Murray rises to head a corner into the back of the net. Ederson came but got nowhere near it. Now then, City just have to find a response here.
GOAL! BRIGHTON 1-1 MAN CITY (AGUERO)
That did not last long then! City level the scores in the 28th minute as Aguero collects a flick from David Silva before firing a low strike through the legs of Ryan!
SAVE! It is almost as if the goal has seriously angered City. Bernardo Silva sends a header towards the bottom corner, but Ryan is on hand to make a decent save.
Aguero's goal was so, so, so important. City are still level - and behind in the title race - but they had to hit back as soon as possible. Big 10 minutes or so before the break here.
Bernardo Silva delivers a dangerous cross into the Brighton box, but the whistle is blown and the home side look very tired. Can City score a second before the interval here?
Sterling has moved out wide, which is not a surprise as he was struggling to get on the ball in a central area. Brighton have another chance to threaten from a high ball, but Ederson can watch Duffy's flick land over the crossbar. The first 37 minutes of this game have flown past!
CLOSE! Mahrez finds all sorts of space inside the Brighton box after a poor pass from Murray, but Ryan blocks at his near post. Huge chance for a second goal there!
GOAL! BRIGHTON 1-2 MAN CITY (LAPORTE)
City take the lead at the Amex and it is a towering header from Laporte, who rises above everyone to meet a cross from Mahrez. Huge, huge moment in the title race!
Little under five minutes of the first period remaining, and it is almost as if Brighton's goal was a good thing for City, who have been woken up and are dominating this football match.
Brighton are struggling to get out of their own half at the moment as City continue to dominate the ball - a third goal at this stage would be absolutely huge here.
Pass, pass, pass from City as we approach the end of the first period.
Brighton have a free kick in a dangerous area as Kompany fouls Bissouma...
SAVE! ... super save from Ederson to keep out a free kick from Dunk!
HALF TIME: BRIGHTON 1-2 MAN CITY
So there we have it - the referee brings the first period to a close with Man City leading Brighton 2-1. The home side took the lead in the 27th minute through Murray, but the visitors hit back through Aguero and Laporte. As it stands, Guardiola's side are retaining the title.
STATISTICS! Man City had 66% of the possession in the first period, while they hit the target with five of their 11 attempts. Brighton managed five attempts, with two of those on target. No bookings to report in the opening half of action - it has not really been that type of contest.
BENCH WATCH! Guardiola has an embarrassment of riches on his bench this afternoon, with De Bruyne, Gabriel Jesus and Leroy Sane amongst those available. Brighton, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Andone, Locadia and Montoya. Will there be any changes at the break?
KICKOFF: City resume the action here...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
Zinchenko breaks down the left for the away side and delivers a dangerous cross towards the middle of the box, but Duffy makes the clearance. Brighton cannot get out, though, and another corner is earned courtesy of smart work from Mahrez. City want a third goal.
Brighton have not been past the half-way line yet!
All City at the moment as they continue to dominate the ball. You do get the feeling that a third goal is coming, and that would be absolutely massive in this title race.
As much as City are dominating, the Premier League champions would not like to enter the final 15 minutes or so with the score 2-1. A third goal is absolutely vital for the visitors.
CLOSE! Dunk rises highest inside the City box, but his header is over!
City are lining up to have shots here, and somehow Brighton survive another long period of pressure. City are still winning the title as it stands, but Brighton only need one goal to change it.
Little over 30 minutes of football to play at the Amex. Can City score a third?
SAVE! Comfortable for Ryan to keep out a low strike from Sterling.
If City score a third then that is probably the title, but Liverpool will be praying for a second Brighton goal, which is always likely from a set piece or counter-attack here.
GOAL! BRIGHTON 1-3 MAN CITY (MAHREZ)
GOAL! BRIGHTON 1-3 MAN CITY (MAHREZ)
That might be that! Wonderful strike from Mahrez as the attacker works some space outside the Brighton box before finding the top corner with an explosive effort!
Liverpool look like they are going to fall just short with an incredible points total - that is unless Brighton can come up with something quite incredible in the latter stages here.
SHOT! Little over 20 minutes of this clash remaining, and City are dominating the ball. Gundogan has just struck from distance, but his effort is wide of the post.
BRIGHTON SUBS! Locadia and Andone replace Murray and Jahanbakhsh.
Pass, pass, pass from City as the clock continues to tick on.
The Premier League trophy is at the Amex Stadium, and therefore City can lift it after the final whistle. There was a replica at Liverpool, but that will seemingly not be needed!
City have a free kick in a dangerous area as Bissouma fouls Sterling...
GOAL! ... BRIGHTON 1-4 MAN CITY (GUNDOGAN)
City with a fourth as Gundogan finds the back of the net with a wonderful free kick!
Safe to say that City are winning the Premier League title then!
De Bruyne is going to finish this game. About to enter...
MAN CITY SUB! De Bruyne replaces David Silva.
Chance for a fifth as Sterling feeds Aguero inside the Brighton box, but the Argentine cannot sort out his feet in time and Brighton manage to clear their lines.
Pass, pass, pass from the visitors as the clock ticks on at the Amex Stadium.
BRIGHTON SUB! Bruno - on his farewell appearance - is replaced by Montoya.
Not a great deal happening at the moment, and that has been the case since City really took control of the game in terms of the scoreline. Brighton look very, very tired out there.
MAN CITY SUB! Kompany is replaced by Otamendi.
MAN CITY SUB! Walker is replaced by Danilo.
Possession football from City as we approach the full-time whistle.
We are into the first of two additional minutes at the end of the match.
Bernardo Silva has just been back in the left-back position making a challenge, which just about sums him up. What an incredible signing he has been for this football club.
FULL TIME: BRIGHTON 1-4 MAN CITY
MAN CITY WIN THE 2018-19 PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE!
So there we have it - the referee brings the second period to a close and City have won the title courtesy of a 4-1 success at Brighton. Liverpool have also beaten Wolves, but fall just short at the end of a stunning title race. What an incredible race it has been! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live text coverage once again. Until next time!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
