Albion made it too easy for the champions in the first half at the Etihad.

That was the verdict of former Manchester City defender Micah Richards on Match Of The Day as he assessed their 2-1 win over the Seagulls.

BRIAN OWEN'S AUDIO REVIEW FROM MANCHESTER

Richards highlighted the performance of Jeremy Doku as he spoke on the BBC’s flagship highlights programme.

And he agreed with a point made by Roberto De Zerbi on a clip shown moments earlier – that James Milner was left exposed at right-back by his team-mates.

Richards said: “He was outstanding but, like De Zerbi, said it wasn’t just him.

“Brighton didn’t know whether to press, whether to drop off.

“One pass and Doku is up against Milner, who has just come back from injury 37 years of age. It is always going to be difficult.

Showing more highlights featuring Doku, Richards said: “This guy is playing his best football since he has come to Man City.

“He is so sharp, alive. But you can’t give him this amount of time and space.

He added: “It was just too easy for Man City in that first half.”