Sergio Aguero and a Lewis Dunk own-goal sent Brighton to a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City on their Premier League bow.
Chris Hughton’s men held firm in the face of near incessant attacking from the pre-season title favourites, but a late strike from Aguero and Lewis Dunk’s own-goal sealed the victory for City.
Pep Guardiola paired Gabriel Jesus and Aguero in attack, with new arrivals Kyle Walker and Danilo providing support from the flanks in a 3-5-2 system.
City dominated possession and territory, but the extra defender perhaps took something out of their attack and Mat Ryan’s stunning save from the Brazilian was City’s sole clear-cut opportunity of a goalless first half.
Jesus also saw two goals disallowed as wave after wave of City attacks broke up on Brighton’s back line, until Dale Stephens’ error opened up space for a merciless counter-attack and City’s opening goal and Dunk’s unfortunate intervention settled the match as a contest.
Having overseen the first trophyless campaign of his coaching career last term, Guardiola cut a frustrated figure for much of the contest, but Chelsea’s defeat to Burnley and Liverpool drawing at Watford earlier in the day paint this below-par victory in much kinder light.
The party atmosphere at the Amex Stadium never suffered, though Brighton registered just a single shot in an opening half that saw one of the entertainers of last season’s Championship season display a steelier side.
There were 21 players in Brighton’s half as early as the third minute and Aguero lashed fresh air from Walker’s cut-back early on, before Kevin De Bruyne’s set-piece sighter gave Ryan a comfortable first Premier League stop.
De Bruyne’s probing almost paid off in the 27th minute when a measured ball over Brighton’s defence was bundled in by Jesus, but referee Michael Olivier spotted the Brazilian’s hand making the crucial final touch and the goal was ruled out.
City were soon back in their stride, though, and only a razor-sharp Ryan save denied Jesus’ planted header before the off-balance Brazil striker thrashed the rebound against the post.
Brighton counter-attacks regularly broke up against City’s three-man defence, but the half-time whistle was greeted with loud cheers regardless after 45 minutes of stiff resistance.
Jesus saw another goal chalked off shortly after the restart, with David Silva straying fractionally offside on the end of a stunning Fernandinho pass and Aguero spurned a one-on-one opening under pressure from Dunk as City resumed their dominance of the contest.
Brighton’s first spell of concerted pressure followed and Shane Duffy’s shot after a corner-kick melee was deflected wide before Ederson made a hash of the following delivery and Davy Propper drilled narrowly off-target.
But the hosts were delivered a lesson in the Premier League’s ruthlessness with 20 minutes to go as City finally went ahead.
Stephens lost possession on halfway and City raced through an unset defence with De Bruyne finding Silva, whose instant pass into Aguero allowed the master marksman to take a touch and finish.
Five minutes later, Dunk thundered a header past Ryan in challenging Jesus to put the result to bed, but the centre-back’s place on the scoresheet was unjust after a fine display.