Adam Lallana has told “brave” Albion they are on the right track, despite a first-half mauling by the champions.

The Seagulls lost 4-1 to Manchester City having gone three down inside 31 minutes.

They were the more forceful side in the second half and could have had more than Alexis Mac Allister’s penalty.

Lallana spoke at length with City boss Pep Guardiola after the game and believes the way Albion took on his team “toe-to-toe” bodes well for the longer term.

He said: “It will take a while to get to that standard but we have a good young squad.

“For them to be brave and play like this, make mistakes, learn from mistakes, that is the only way to improve.

“The way Graham (Potter) set us up was brave. It shows great courage and the lads tried to enforce it.

“It didn’t work at times. We can be better in the first half.

“We are too good to make those mistakes.

“But to react how we did and not feel sorry for ourselves was important.

“If we had it would have been six or seven. We got at them and eventually got the goal but just too late.”

Lallana admitted City were ruthless as they took charge through Ilkay Gundogan’s opener and a Phil Foden double.

Riyad Mahrez added a fourth right on full-time.

Lallana said: “It would have been nice if we hadn’t been 3-0 down at half-time, not that they didn’t deserve it.

“They were ruthless and took every chance.

“Rob (Sanchez) made a couple of good saves but they make the openings and they are just so ruthless.

“That is the difference really from big teams.

“When the top teams come at you like that, they sniff the extra yard and punish you for every mistake you make.

“I was very proud of the lads and the team (in the second half).

“It would have been nice to get an earlier goal before the hour and then maybe get the penalty, then the game is on.

HOW BRIGHTON PLAYERS RATED AGAINST MANCHESTER CITY

PREMIUM: BRIAN OWEN REVIEWS BRIGHTON V MANCHESTER CITY - AND WHAT WAS PEP TALKING ABOUT?

“But City are one of the best in the world, for sure.

“People might think we are crazy going toe-to-toe with them but I would much rather go down fighting rather than have a slow death of putting 11 behind the ball.

“We are playing against the best players in the world and one of the best managers.”