There was more than a sense of anxiety around the Etihad on Wednesday as Manchester City were frustrated by Brighton for 53 minutes on Wednesday.
City had all of the possession, but could find no way through the Seagulls' backline - and when they did, Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan wasted good opportunities. The Etihad crowd weren't getting retless, but they weren't sitting comfortably either. Their response to City's possession was to raise their voices in support, even if you could equally hear exasperated groans whenever a chance was lost.
The roar when Mahrez scored, then, on 53 minutes, was louder than most at the Etihad all season. And when Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva sealed the three points, fans showed their appreciation for a hard-fought win. 'Championes' even got an airing at one point.
