Blues Top The League: Brighton Talking Points

The scoreline makes it seem the game was closer than it actually was. Certainly a sigh of relief was audible when Sergio Aguero slotted home the second in the 65th minute. The result, along with Liverpools failure to beat Chelsea, means Pep Guardiola's side return to the summit after only seven games.

The two will meet in the League next weekend, and the chance for one to put daylight between the other. Focusing on our previous match though, what lessons do we take away from that result and overall performance.

City Dominate Brighton: Players Rated

Manchester City will go into next weekends six pointer ahead of their opposition after this past victory against Brighton. The three points gained at the Etihad now put them level on all stats with Liverpool who have a poorer goal difference.

It was a comprehensive win for the Blues, as you might expect. However it did take a piece of solo running from Sergio Aguero to make the result safe in the 65th minute. So, how did I rate the players?

Blues Against Brighton: History Of The Fixture

After, what was eventually, a comprehensive defeat of Oxford United City return to Premier League action. Welcoming Chris Hughtons Brighton side who are enjoying their second successive season in the Premier League.

Currently 13th in the Premier League, Hughton will be looking at securing the Seagulls stature and making them established in England's top flight. In order to do this games like tomorrow will not be ones pinpointed as ones where that future is made or broken.

That's not to say they will not put out a decent lineup and make it tough for us. They did last season, and they will again.

Carabao Check-up: Player Ratings

It was a tale of two Phils for Manchester last night. Our very own Phil Foden put in a man of the match performance away to Oxford in the Carabao Cup. Meanwhile, at the Stadium of Dreams, Phil Jones put the icing on a poor United performance. 

A gift that keeps on giving with players in Red, who were slated as not giving 100% for the shirt, were shown up by Frank Lampards Championship side, Derby County. Meanwhile, 160 miles south, Manchester City's youth and fringe players were securing the win in a very comprehensive victory.

Lessons From The Carabao

A heavily rotated Manchester City side did the job away to League One side Oxford United last night although, at times, it was hard work. In the end it was comfortable for the Blues, and gave Pep Guardiola some more insight into some of his fringe players.

Starts were given to youngsters Muric, Foden and Diaz while some more experienced heads were welcomed back into the first team. It was good, for example, to see Vincent Kompany back in the side. So what would we have learnt from yesterdays progression to the next round?

City v Oxford: History Of The Fixture

Manchester City travel south tomorrow for the start of their Carabao Cup defense. Oxford, the side they face are currently plying their trade in the third tier of English football, two decades after City pulled themselves from those very depths.

The two sides haven't met on too many occasions, thirteen in fact. It's a surprise because both sides were founded in the late 1800's. Oxford started life as Headington United in 1893, while City were founded more than a decade earlier, became Manchester City in 1894.

Carabao Defense Starts Now

The defending Carabao Cup Champions, Manchester City, travel the 165 miles south on Tuesday. Taking on League One side Oxford, the Blues will be looking to make it two away wins from two. Of course the reality is that Pep Guardiola will heavily rotate his side from the side that defeated Cardiff on Saturday.

Raking the competitions in order of importance, this one would be the last one on the list, and first one to be sacrificed if need be. That said, winning a trophy in March does tend to give any side a boost for the final stretch. So, how will Pep line up his side?