Enciso rocket halts Manchester City and confirms Brighton’s Europa League spot

Manchester City had already sewn up the Premier League title, their fifth in six seasons; a three-peat complete. They have a couple of finals coming up that you might have heard about. So what was their motivation here?

Brighton had confirmed their place in next season’s Europa League – unless you believed that a 17-goal swing in two defeats against City here and at Aston Villa on Sunday was plausible. They had an outside chance of overhauling Liverpool for fifth place, although that would not have brought any tangible reward. Same question. What was their motivation?

The answer for City, perhaps, was to showcase their winning mentality, to maintain momentum for the historic challenge ahead. But, really, it boiled down to professional pride. Just as it did for Brighton, the desire to put on a show – even after all of the shows that both clubs have staged during seasons they would justifiably describe as epic.

What a game this was, the first half in particular a rip-roaring spectacle, the thrills seemingly every minute. It was when Julio Enciso’s top-corner firecracker cancelled out Phil Foden’s opener for City. What a goal it was from Enciso, the explosive climax to a patient and probing move.

Brighton carried the fight to City, perhaps more than any other club have done this season. They had 20 shots at the visitors’ goal – no opponent has attempted more over the campaign.

There was a moment in the 72nd minute when Pep Guardiola came onto the pitch to return the ball for a City free-kick. He applauded with his hands above his head before sweeping it across with his left foot, the years rolled back. He exchanged a high five with his Brighton counterpart, Roberto De Zerbi, the respect between the pair obvious.

Guardiola