Raheem Sterling scored a hat-trick as Manchester City ensured they will finish in the Premier League's top four with a 5-0 win over Brighton on Saturday as the club wait to find out whether they will be allowed to compete in the Champions League next season. City were handed a two-season ban from European competitions by UEFA in February, but appealed that decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport which will deliver its verdict on Monday. On the field, there is no doubt Pep Guardiola's men deserve their place among the elite of European football next season with another display that belied the 21-point gap between them and champions Liverpool.

Too often City have been found wanting for failing to take their chances and punished for defensive lapses at the other end. However, there was never any chance of Brighton adding to their nine defeats this season once Sterling curled home his 25th goal of the season with unerring accuracy into the far corner. Gabriel Jesus's deflected shot came back off the crossbar and he then teed up Riyad Mahrez with some nifty footwork only for the Algerian to curl a great chance wide. Jesus could be burdened with the responsibility of leading the line when City's 2019/20 Champions League season gets back underway in August with Sergio Aguero facing a race against time to be fit after knee surgery.