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• Foden: De Bruyne the best in the Premier League

  Phil Foden hailed Manchester City team-mate Kevin De Bruyne as the Premier League's best player after the pair both netted in the 4-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion.

  De Bruyne opened the scoring in Thursday's contest at Amex Stadium before Foden took over with a couple of goals of his own before half-time.

  Julian Alvarez rounded off the scoring just after the hour in a one-sided contest as an Erling Haaland-less City moved to within a point of leaders Arsenal with a game in hand.

  Belgium international De Bruyne now has four goals and six assists in just 13 league appearances for City this season.

  Speaking to Sky Sports News after the win over Brighton, Foden said: "I think when he is at it, he is the best player in the Premier League."

  Foden's first goal came via a deflected free-kick that he himself won, although replays showed he slipped rather than being fouled.

  The England international doubled his personal tally with a composed finish after Brighton were caught in possession at the back.

  Asked about playing more centrally, Foden said: "I have always said that I see myself there. This year I have moved inside and it has helped me massively. 

  "I enjoy it in the middle. It's where I want to be. At the moment, I am just enjoying my football and playing with freedom."

  De Bruyne had earlier opened the scoring with a brilliant opener - his first headed goal for City in the Premier League - as City made it 30 games unbeaten in normal time across all competitions.

  Alvarez then went on to round off the scoring in a game that not only saw the reigning champions close the gap on Arsenal, but also narrow the goal difference margin to eight.

  "It was a good game," De Bruyne said. "I think we played really good in the first half and every game is a lot of pressure. All we can do is prepare as we did today and win the game that is in front of us.

  "We just want to win game-by-game and push for the title. We don't get ahead of ourselves. Now the next game is coming quickly. Try to recover and we go again."

  Kyle Walker assisted the De Bruyne and Alvarez goals - the first time the defender has set up two goals in a single Premier League game in what was his 390th appearance in the competition.

  Reflecting on his rare headed goal, De Bruyne said: "It doesn't happen too much. Kyle gave a good cross and I think the only way I could reach it is by jumping to it. I will take it but it's not something I am good at."

  City have rather ominously won four Premier League games in a row and travel to strugglers Nottingham Forest next up at the weekend, knowing victory in their remaining five games will secure an unprecedented fourth straight title.

  "I trust my team. All respect to Liverpool and Arsenal, they are amazing," De Bruyne added. "Arsenal are doing what they need to do and we are also needing to do it. Work hard and be humble enough to keep pushing."

• Nadal cruises past teen Blanch to tee up De Minaur rematch in Madrid

  Darwin Blanch presented little challenge for Rafael Nadal, who dropped just one game in a convincing 6-1 6-0 triumph at the Madrid Open.

  Nadal is feeling his way back to fitness, but 16-year-old qualifier Blanch offered little resistance to the 22-time major champion on Thursday.

  Making his farewell appearance at the Madrid Open, where he has won five titles, Nadal needed just 64 minutes to progress to round two.

  "I think today I played against an opponent with a great future in front [of him], but today, still making mistakes," said Nadal.

  "I just tried to be there, be solid all the time without taking a lot of risks. It worked well. I'm happy to be through and I wish him all the very best for the future."

  Nadal's reward is a rematch with Alex de Minaur, who he lost to last week in Barcelona.

  Data Debrief

  This game saw the largest age gap (21 years, 117 days) between two opponents in the history of ATP Masters 1000 events.

  Nadal has now registered 57 wins at the Madrid Open, which is 20 clear of any other player. 

• 'I will play Roland Garros if I feel competitive' – Nadal uncertain on French Open participation

  Rafael Nadal is unsure as to whether he will be fit enough to feature at the French Open.

  Nadal is embarking on a swansong season, having indicated he will retire after the 2024 campaign.

  The 37-year-old is set to make his farewell appearance at the Madrid Open this week, with his campaign starting against American teenager Darwin Blanch on Thursday.

  Nadal, now ranked 512 in the world, has played just five Tour-level matches this year, as he makes his comeback from yet another injury lay-off.

  And the 14-time Roland Garros champion acknowledged on Wednesday that he would be unlikely to play at the French Open should it be taking place this week.

  "If I was in Paris today, I wouldn't go out to play," he said.

  "I don't think I'll be able to play at 100 per cent, but it's important to be able to play for the last time in Madrid.

  "It means a lot to me to play on this court where I've had some great moments."

  Thankfully for Nadal, the French Open does not take place until late May, giving him time to get fit.

  "If I arrive in Paris the way I feel today, I will not play," he said.

  "I will play Roland Garros if I feel competitive. If I can play, I play. If I can't play, I can't. It won't be the end of the world or the end of my career. I still have goals after Roland Garros, like the Olympics.

  "Few weeks [ago], I didn't know if I would be able to play again on the professional tour. It's not perfect but at least I am playing and I can enjoy again, especially in the tournaments that are so emotional for me.

  "I'm able to enjoy the fun that I can say, probably, goodbye on court. Without trying to confuse anyone, I don't know what's going to happen in the next three weeks.

  "I'm going to do the things I have to do to be able to play in Paris. And if I can, I can and if I can't, I can't. I'm going to Paris if I feel like I'm good enough. I'm going to Paris if I feel capable enough to compete."

  Nadal played three times in Brisbane in January, losing to qualifier Jordan Thompson and subsequently missing the Australian Open.

  He featured twice in Barcelona earlier in April, losing to Alex De Minaur in the round of 32.

  Nadal has won five titles in Madrid, though, and the tournament holds a special place for him, as he underlined his determination to compete.

  He added: "Some moments I find myself enjoying being on court, playing against the best players again and I feel myself, more or less competitive, and other moments I feel limitations and it’s difficult.

  "The goal is to be on court, enjoy it as long as possible. I mean, that's the thing, enjoy the fact that I will be able to compete one more time on the professional tour and here at home in Madrid, a place that gives me everything in terms of support.

  "I am here giving myself a chance. If at some moment my situation improves, if I am able to find better feelings in my body, I need to be ready."