'We couldn't find the answers' Graham Potter gives brutal assessment after Manchester City loss

Brighton and Hove Albion manager Graham Potter said Manchester City were 'too good' for his side after Pep Guardiola's men ran out 5-0 winners at The Amex.
Raheem Sterling destroyed Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex StadiumRaheem Sterling destroyed Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium
Raheem Sterling destroyed Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium

City confirmed their second place finish after a hat-trick from Raheem Sterling and goals from Gabriel Jesus and Bernardo Silva.

Graham Potter said, "Man City were too good tonight. We were well beaten by the better team. First half, we were in it a bit and had a couple of opportunities but they have got players that can hurt you everywhere.

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"We are disappointed with how we petered out in the second half but it's a big ask to play Liverpool and Man City in the space of four days.

"The manner and timing of the second goal was disappointing. To get in at 1-0 having had a few moments was the aim but that was a killer one. We tried to get a foothold but we couldn't find the answers to them.

"Better teams than us will find it difficult to live with Man City. It's no disgrace from our perspective but we want to put it to bed as quickly as we can and get as many points as we can from the last three games.

"Our job is to improve our team and players as best we can. We've done some things quite well this season but clearly got a lot more to do as well."

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Man City were in fine form and showed a killer instinct in the final third both with their finishing and pressing - a real focused and intense performance.

City broke the deadlock on 21 minutes after Gabriel Jesus nodded a Riyad Mahrez ball on for Sterling, who cut inside and fired a clinical low effort right into the far corner of Maty Ryan's goal.

City doubled their lead on the 44th minute after Kevin De Bruyne's corner - which was won thanks to Kyle Walker's blistering pace - was headed goal-bound by Rodri and finished off by Gabriel Jesus, who popped up at the back post to finish in true number nine fashion.

City were coasting and Kevin De Bruyne's post-rattling freekick from 25 yards out was a warning sign of more to come for Brighton.

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Pep Guardiola's men scored their third in the 53rd minute after a trademark Mahrez left footed cross in from the right was met by a flying Sterling, who headed past Ryan from a few yards out.

City didn't let up and scored their fourth moments later in the 56th minute when Bernardo Silva's initial effort was not dealt with by Maty Ryan and the Portuguese international finished off the rebound after some good hustling from Jesus to force the opportunity.

Sterling completed his hat-trick and rounded off a five-star City performance in the 81st minute after a lofted ball over the top by David Silva was picked up by Sterling, whose mazy run and perseverance led to a slightly fortuitous goal that bounced off the striker's head and through the legs of Ryan.

"I was pleased with everything tonight - the result and the levels we reached," said City boss Pep Guardiola. "We are now at a good level and are ready to play the last games of the Premier League and in the Champions League.

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"We've forgotten the Southampton result (1-0 defeat last Sunday) as we played incredibly well there. Football sometimes is strange. We just didn't score there. We're a team who create a lot of chances and today we converted them."

Pep Guardiola praised Sterling's finishing and put it down to hard work on the training ground.

He said, "For a long time, he has been getting better. His finishing, his shooting and that's because he trains hard. It's good for us to have him at the end of the season."

Guardiola also went on to praise his striker Gabriel Jesus.

He said, "He fought well. Before he scored, we had been delighted with his performances. Tonight he didn't just get his goal, he made lots of good chances too. It's unbelievable that he's scored."

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