Man City have a new Yaya Toure as they take the title fight to Liverpool FC

Kevin De Bruyne is turning into Manchester City’s ultimate big-game hunter - and make no mistake, this clash with the feisty Seagulls WAS a big game. After Liverpool’s ruthless destruction of an abysmal Manchester United the night before, City needed a win, and if possible a statement win, that would take them back to the top of the Premier League.

For 45 minutes it looked like Graham Potter’s stubborn side were capable of giving the Merseysiders a huge advantage heading into the final six games of the season. De Bruyne took matters into his own hand with a trademark driving run that brought Riyad Mahrez his 23rd - and most important - goal of the campaign - and after Phil Foden had rifled in a second, the Belgian brilliantly teed up Bernardo Silva for a third that made inroads into Liverpool’s superior goal difference.

It was the kind of moment that Yaya Toure used to provide for the Blues at the sharp end of the season., all about powerful running, delicate touch and a brilliant football brain. He did not score but had a hand in two, and has already netted six times in his last eight appearances, including huge strikes against Liverpool and Atletico Madrid.

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At the start of the season, and even a few weeks ago, it would have been fair to suppose that City had the easier of the two midweek fixtures, with rivals Liverpool facing a clash with old enemy Manchester United. But the Reds’ sorry demise meant that Brighton were far livelier and determined opposition and in contrast to Liverpool’s Anfield cake-walk the night before, City’s progress was halting and required considerable hard work.

Guardiola had urged his players to respond to the FA Cup semi-final defeat at the weekend by