A re-energized Manchester City buoyed up with the return of Rodri and John Stones beat Brighton 2-1 on Saturday to return to the Premier League summit on a day dampened by the news of the death of England World Cup winner Sir Bobby Charlton.
The 86-year-old English football legend’s family announced that the former midfielder, who scored 49 international goals, had “passed peacefully in the early hours of Saturday morning”. Tributes streamed in from across the globe, with the likes of former England captain David Beckham lauding the Manchester United icon as a “national hero”.
City manager Pep Guardiola was among the first to express his condolences after the champions secured their win over Brighton at the Etihad. “I am sorry to the Manchester United family and England,” he said. “Next week, when we go there, we will be present to make a tribute.
“I love this country for many things but one of the things is how they take care of the legends.”
City’s well-deserved win has seen them win meant leapfrog Liverpool, who for the briefest of moments topped the table after their 2-0 victory against their bitter derby rivals Everton. Arsenal, however, fluffed their opportunity to end up in top spot but still thankfully managed to recover from a 2-0 deficit against Chelsea to draw 2-2 and are now behind City only on goal difference.
City’s 21st consecutive victory at the Etihad in all competitions has also set a new record for a winning run at home by a Premier League club, with the treble winners’ goals from Julian Alvarez and goal-scoring machine Erling Haaland, who finally ended his brief drought by driving home a fierce left-footed shot from just outside the area.
For Brighton, it was Ansu Fati who managed to pull a goal back in the 73rd minute to give Pep Guardiola’s side a run for their money.