Manchester City edge past Brighton

A fourth-minute goal from Gabriel Jesus was enough to see Manchester City edge past Brighton in their FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

City went ahead before much of Wembley had been seated when Kevin De Bruyne’s excellent cross was met at the back post by Jesus - keeping Pep Guardiola on track to win the only competition except the German Charity Shield that he has so far failed to win.

Kyle Walker, struggling with a muscle injury, could have gone off when he appeared to headbutt Alireza Jahanbakhsh, but despite a VAR review he stay on the pitch.

In the second half, Walker was withdrawn for Danilo but Brighton continued to press down the left wing in search of an equaliser, with City only briefly threatening.

City were struggling with fitness as De Bruyne was removed a little over the hour mark, and they seemed intent on running down the game with as little exertion as they could get away with.

The win might have let Liverpool take the lead at the top of the league, but City remain on course for a perfect season, if they can stay fit.

Was it a red card for Walker? Brighton will resent the refereeing error. While none of us will think what Walker did was dangerous, that isn’t the point. Violent behaviour like Walker’s is supposed to be punished with a red card, and there is no excuse for such poor implementation of the rules.

Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City): He was only on the pitch for a little over an hour, but he is showing some of his best form after a problematic season. Injuries are threatening to limit City’s achievements this season but if they can keep the Belgian fit then they are in with a chance of winning the lot.

Manchester City: Ederson 6, Mendy 7, Laporte 7, Otamendi 6, Walker 5, Gundogan 6, Bernardo 6, Silva 7, De Bruyne 7, Sterling 7, Jesus 7. Subs: Danilo 7, Stones 6, Fernandinho 6.

Brighton: Ryan 7, Montoya 6, Duffy 6, Dunk 7, Bernardo 6, Stephens 6, Propper 6, Bissouma 7, Knockaert 6, Murray 7, Jahanbakhsh 7. Subs: Izquierdo 6, Locadia 6, Andone 6.

4’ - GOAL! Manchester City 1-0 Brighton. Jesus scores - The ball is worked out wide, shifted inside slightly to De Bruyne, and he sends a cross to the back post for Jesus to dive towards, stooping at the back post to head home.

20’ - PROPPER CHANCE - David Propper has a sight of goal from 25 yards out, and his low effort is dragged a couple of yards wide of the far post.

31’ - WALKER HEADBUTT - Propper sends a long ball for Jahanbakhsh to chase, and the winger slides in on Walker. The two players come together, both clash heads with some aggro, and the referee gives them both yellow cards.

39’ - KNOCKAERT SHOT - Knockaert jinks one way and then the next, into the box with Murray waiting for a pass, and then he drills a rising shot over the near post with Brighton's best chance so far.

54’ - MURRAY CHANCE - Knockaert swings in the set piece, Duffy reaches it at the back post, and it seems like Murray is about to sweep it into the net from a yard out before Laporte blasts it over the bar.

61’ - GUNDOGAN VOLLEY - Gundogan flashes a left-foot half-volley at goal, and Ryan dives forward to claim before it can bounce.