Manchester City eased to victory over Brighton as Sergio Aguero hit two goals to continue his record of scoring in all four of his team’s Premier League games this season.
Belgium midfielder Kevin de Bruyne set the reigning champions on their way when he poked David Silva’s low cross over the line after just 68 seconds.
Aguero finished off a free-flowing move to double the lead before producing a sumptuous curl from the edge of the penalty after half-time.
Substitute Bernardo Silva completed the scoring with his second touch after replacing David Silva.
However, City lost French defender Aymeric Laporte to injury. The former Athletic Bilbao player was carried off on a stretcher after a collision with Adam Webster before being taken to hospital.
- Reaction from Saturday’s Premier League games
Ruthless City show no mercy
City have scored 14 goals in their first four matches this campaign.
Having hit five against West Ham on the opening weekend of the season, they scored two against Tottenham and put three past Bournemouth before notching another four against Brighton.
If they carry on scoring at this rate, averaging 3.5 goals per game throughout the season, they will end up with 133 top-flight goals.
At the age of 31, Sergio Aguero continues to show the same desire and hunger as when he first joined in 2011 from Atletico Madrid for £38m.
Having scored 21 in each of his last two season’s to help City to back-to-back league titles, the Argentine already has six goals from four matches this term and is the Premier League’s leading scorer.
Despite the score, this was not vintage City but Aguero’s two goals and assist inspired his team as he took his tally to 237 goals for the club. Fitness permitting, he will be past 250 by Christmas.
After De Bruyne broke the deadlock from close range in the second minute, Aguero finished off a superb move started by Kyle Walker and involved Riyad Mahrez and De Bruyne.
His third was a superb curler past Mat Ryan before Bernardo Silva got in on the act with a clever finish.
Laporte injury a worry for Guardiola
Despite his side’s routine win, Pep Guardiola will be concerned at the loss of Laporte – particularly as central defence is not an area of strength for City.
Laporte cut across Webster, who was making his Premier League debut, as he tried to stop Brighton surging forward.
He went down heavily and there was a delay while the player received treatment on the pitch before being taken to hospital to have the injury assessed.
Guardiola, who opted not to replace defender Vincent Kompany after the Belgian left in the summer, sent on Fernandinho to operate alongside Nicolas Otamendi, with John Stones injured.
Although Brazilian Fernandinho is more than capable of doing the job, the loss of Laporte for any length of time could cause Guardiola problems.
Brighton plan undone by early goal
A visit to City, who clinched the title at the Amex Stadium on the final day of last season, was pretty much a free-hit for Brighton who will target maximum points in their next two games against Burnley and Newcastle.
Having suffered nine defeats in 12 games against the teams that finished in the top six last season, few gave them a chance to avoid defeat – although Crystal Palace’s surprise win at the Etihad last December was not lost on Graham Potter.
“We need a bit of luck, to play well and hope they have a bad day,” said the Brighton boss before the game.
His side’s plan to frustrate and hit the champions on the break did not last two minutes as De Bruyne struck early, yet Brighton did create chances.
Ederson saved from Leandro Trossard at the end of the first half while the Belgian spurned another chance after half-time.
Having taken four points from the first two games, Brighton have lost two back-to-back games and will target a quick return to winning ways after the international break.
What’s next?
Both teams have a two-week recess due to the first international break of the season, but Norwich City await Manchester City at Carrow Road on 14 September (17:30 BST) – the same day Brighton host Burnley (15:00 BST).
More to follow.
Line-ups
Man City
Substitutes
Brighton
Substitutes
Match Stats
Live Text
Match ends, Manchester City 4, Brighton and Hove Albion 0.
Full Time
Second Half ends, Manchester City 4, Brighton and Hove Albion 0.
Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Adam Webster.
Corner, Brighton and Hove Albion. Conceded by Riyad Mahrez.
Attempt blocked. Davy Pröpper (Brighton and Hove Albion) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Offside, Brighton and Hove Albion. Pascal Groß tries a through ball, but Aaron Connolly is caught offside.
Offside, Brighton and Hove Albion. Martín Montoya tries a through ball, but Aaron Connolly is caught offside.
Booking
Lewis Dunk (Brighton and Hove Albion) is shown the yellow card.
Hand ball by Fernandinho (Manchester City).
Foul by Bernardo Silva (Manchester City).
Davy Pröpper (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Goal!
Goal! Manchester City 4, Brighton and Hove Albion 0. Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) left footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Sergio Agüero.
Substitution
Substitution, Manchester City. Bernardo Silva replaces David Silva.
Foul by Oleksandr Zinchenko (Manchester City).
Pascal Groß (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Fernandinho (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Pascal Groß (Brighton and Hove Albion).
Substitution
Substitution, Brighton and Hove Albion. Pascal Groß replaces Leandro Trossard.
Offside, Brighton and Hove Albion. Lewis Dunk tries a through ball, but Solly March is caught offside.
Foul by Kyle Walker (Manchester City).
Lewis Dunk (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Ilkay Gündogan (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right from a direct free kick.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Leandro Trossard (Brighton and Hove Albion).
Sergio Agüero (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Dale Stephens (Brighton and Hove Albion).
Substitution
Substitution, Manchester City. Ilkay Gündogan replaces Kevin De Bruyne.
Attempt missed. Sergio Agüero (Manchester City) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Kevin De Bruyne with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Adam Webster.
Substitution
Substitution, Brighton and Hove Albion. Glenn Murray replaces Bernardo.
Substitution
Substitution, Brighton and Hove Albion. Aaron Connolly replaces Neal Maupay.
Attempt missed. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) right footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Riyad Mahrez.
Foul by Oleksandr Zinchenko (Manchester City).
Solly March (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Offside, Manchester City. Kyle Walker tries a through ball, but Riyad Mahrez is caught offside.
Attempt blocked. Sergio Agüero (Manchester City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Riyad Mahrez.
Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Dan Burn.
Attempt missed. Neal Maupay (Brighton and Hove Albion) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Martín Montoya.
Foul by Raheem Sterling (Manchester City).
Martín Montoya (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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