Manchester City Extends Premiership Lead with Decisive WinManchester City Extends Premiership Lead with Decisive Win In a pulsating encounter at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City secured a crucial 3-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, solidifying their grip on the Premier League title race. The visitors took an early lead through Neal Maupay, but City responded emphatically with goals from Riyad Mahrez, Erling Haaland, and Phil Foden. The triumph extended City’s lead at the summit to five points, with Liverpool breathing down their necks. Pep Guardiola’s men dominated possession and created numerous chances throughout the match. Mahrez leveled the score with a stunning free-kick just before halftime, while Haaland’s clinical strike in the second half gave City the advantage. Foden put the match beyond doubt with a late goal, securing all three points. Brighton defended resolutely and showed resilience, but they were ultimately overwhelmed by City’s attacking quality. Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, and Bernardo Silva provided constant threat in midfield, constantly unlocking the Brighton defense. The victory is a significant boost to City’s title hopes. With 11 matches remaining in the season, Guardiola’s team is in pole position to retain the Premier League crown. However, Liverpool is hot on their heels, and the title race is far from over. Manchester City’s next league fixture is an away trip to Bristol City in the fifth round of the EFL Cup on Wednesday. They then face Newcastle United at St James’ Park in the Premier League on Saturday. Brighton, meanwhile, hosts Fulham on Tuesday in the FA Cup fifth round before traveling to Leicester City in the league on Saturday.