Man City go top, Brighton hammer Chelsea on Potter’s return

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom: Manchester City moved to the top of the Premier League thanks to Kevin De Bruyne’s stunning strike in a 1-0 win over Leicester, as Chelsea boss Graham Potter suffered a nightmare return to Brighton with a 4-1 defeat on Saturday. Tottenham fought back from 2-0 down to beat Bournemouth 3-2 to remain in third ahead of Newcastle. City were without the free-scoring Erling Haaland for the trip to the King Power due to a foot injury and were blunted up front without the firepower of the Norwegian.

But one moment of magic from De Bruyne was enough for the winner as the Belgian’s free-kick four minutes into the second half clipped the inside of the post on its way past Danny Ward. City needed one brilliant save from Ederson to prevent another sensational strike from an Belgian international as he turned Youri Tielemans’ volley onto the crossbar. “I want this Kevin and we need this Kevin.

The goals and assists he can do blind. But we need this type of involvement in the game and today that was the case,” said City boss Pep Guardiola. With Arsenal not in action until Sunday when they host Nottingham Forest, victory lifts City one point ahead of the Gunners at the top of the table.

Potter had been unbeaten in his first nine games since leaving Brighton to take over at Chelsea last month. By contrast, the Seagulls had not won in their first five games under new boss Roberto De Zerbi, but that all changed in a dominant first half by Brighton. Thiago Silva twice cleared off the Chelsea goal line in the first five minutes before Leandro Trossard fired home the opener.