PHIL THE FORCE

Ruthless Foden and Co turn up title heat!

- JOHN CROSS

IF THIS was a potential banana skin for Manchester City, then Pep Guardiola's men never looked like slipping up.

Instead, City delivered a clear message of intent: they have got their sights set on an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title.

They were frighteningly good and delivered a sensational performance which was probably as uplifting for City as it was demoralising for Arsenal and Liverpool.

It feels hard to believe that City will drop any points when they are playing as brilliantly as this. Phil Foden was electric as he scored twice to maintain his red-hot form in what has become the best season of his career.

Foden will surely be favourite to be crowned Footballer of the Year as he dominated the game with Brighton unable to get close to him.

It was also a performance in front of Gareth Southgate to underline just how important he will be for England this summer as he was just as effective in the middle as when he drifted out wide.

Kevin De Bruyne scored his 68th Premier League goal and it was special because not only did it open the scoring but was his first-ever header, while Julian Alvarez put the icing on the cake.