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One Moment in Time: Doku and Haaland help ground the Seagulls
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- One Moment in Time: Doku and Haaland help ground the Seagulls
One Moment in Time: Doku and Haaland help ground the Seagulls
Ahead of Saturday's latest Premier League clash at home to Brighton, we wind the clock back three years to an Autumn Etihad encounter with the South Coast side from October 2023.
Brighton victory draws record Etihad attendance for a domestic cup game
It was a game that saw City overcome both the challenge of a determined Seagulls side – and the late dismissal of Manuel Akanji – to record a crucial 2-1 victory.
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Goals from Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland helped fire Pep Guardiola's side back to the top of the table with City eventually going on to record a historic fourth straight league title
The victory also saw City set another new Premier League record as it was our 21st consecutive win at the Etihad – beating the previous best run of 20 set by Manchester United.
But as much as the plaudits quite rightly went to the goalscorers, the game was also significant for alerting the Etihad faithful to the vast potential and rich talent of winger Jérémy Doku.
Just two months on from his move to City from Stade Rennes, the then 21-year-old Belgian winger produced a quite dazzling all-round individual display.
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It was one that highlighted his blistering pace, superb dribbling skills allied to his bravery and commitment to the cause, qualities that would become Doku's trademark.
Brighton will give us another tough game on Saturday - Enzo
Indeed, Doku it was who helped City sweep into a seventh minute lead, Alvarez providing an instinctive finish.
The Blues' dominance was then further reinforced when Haaland struck in lethal fashion via a thunderous 20-yard strike to conjure up his 13th goal of the season.
With Doku a menace every time he received possession it could and should have been more.
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Instead a 74th minute effort from Ansu Fati halved the arrears and made for a nervy finale – all the more so after Akanji was dismissed in stoppage time for a second bookable offence.
But, as so often, the Blues prevailed thanks to Doku and Haaland's heroics.
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"I give credit to the team for victory [but] in terms of Jeremy Doku, he is an exceptional winger," Guardiola reflected afterwards.
"He got to the byline and got us the first goal. He did many actions.
"I have been really pleased for his impact since he came into us. It's the start of many years in this house."
