Manchester City blew away Brighton 4-0 to send an ominous Premier League title message to their rivals.

The reigning champions started the day in third and needing to offer a response to Arsenal's 5-0 thrashing of Chelsea earlier in the week.

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Kevin De Bruyne's goal kicked off the proceedings for CityCredit: Getty

Liverpool's defeat to Merseyside rivals Everton on Wednesday meant that City would overtake them if they beat Brighton, and they fully took their chance at the Amex Stadium.

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City scored three times inside the opening 34 minutes to put the game to bed, with Phil Foden netting twice to take his top-flight tally to 16 this season.

Pep Guardiola's side now sit second, two points above Liverpool, with just one point separating them and Arsenal with a game in hand.

Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring after 17 minutes with a looping header into the top corner from Kyle Walker's lofted cross.

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City's lead was doubled thanks to a deflected free-kick by Foden, who was quick to add his second with a low strike past Jason Steele.

Walker turned provider once again just after the hour mark when he found Julian Alvarez inside the area for a simple close range finish.

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A Foden double made it game, set and match in the first-halfCredit: AFP

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Alvarez sealed the convincing win for City midway through the second-halfCredit: Getty

It was a performance that once again proved why City are the big favourites for this season's title despite not sitting top of the league.

Arsenal pushed them all the way last season and look to set to do so again this time round in the final weeks of the campaign.

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Liverpool still remain in the mix but there is general belief that their defeat to Everton on Wednesday night has ended their chances.

Should City win their game in hand and return to the top, they will be in the driving seat to claim a record fourth consecutive title.

They also still have an FA Cup final to contest, but this does not come until the end of May so should not hamper their league ambitions.

A trip to Nottingham Forest is what next awaits them in their course to make Premier League history before run-in clashes against Wolves, Fulham and Tottenham.

City then host West Ham on the final day of the season, with the title likely to be decided then amid their ongoing battle against Arsenal and Liverpool.

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Man City are closing in on Arsenal

City boss Guardiola said Liverpool's surprise derby defeat to Everton had served as a warning to his players ahead of the thrashing of Brighton.

"I said to the players what happened to Liverpool can happen to us and can happen to Arsenal," said the Spaniard.

"People didn't expect them to lose against Crystal Palace and yesterday but it can happen to us - it's football.

"Everton is playing to avoid the relegation zone and we have a similar game at Nottingham Forest (on Sunday) and they play for their lives.

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"Maybe because they were a real contender of ours for many years, my appreciation for Liverpool is higher than ever.

"Still it (the title) is there (for Liverpool) because I know the character of their team.
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