Brighton player Duffy wants to stop Man City winning title

Shane Duffy wants to spoil Manchester City's Premier League title party - even if fans of his first club are desperate for him to let them win.

Brighton face City on Sunday afternoon with second-place Liverpool relying on the Seagulls to take points from the side currently top of the league. Only City dropping points and the Reds beating Wolves would see them take the title.

Duffy watched Vincent Kompany put City on the brink of a title defence with a wonder goal against Leicester and has been fielding messages from supporters of Liverpool's rivals Everton - where he made his bow in senior football - since.

The 27-year-old is keen to have a say on the title race - although he is not planning to emulate his fellow defender's strike: 'I won't be doing that!

'It's a very difficult game and as players you just hope it doesn't come off for them and we have a game where it happens for us.

'We are underdogs. All the players are excited to spoil the party, if you could say that, but it's down to us. We want to do this club proud and win these three points.

'I am a (fan of Everton). I owe a lot to that club. I've had a few Everton fans texting me, "Let them through!" But I'm professional, I'm not at Everton any more.'

The Republic of Ireland international is also well aware of Liverpool's big following in his homeland but insists it will not be a consideration ahead of the game.

'It's just Liverpool fans in general,' he said. 'They are everywhere aren't they. We can't really get sucked into what favours we do.

'I'm sure Palace fans didn't want them to win against Cardiff (to keep Brighton in the Premier League) but we're footballers, we do our job, we're professionals.

'We want to beat one of the best teams in the world. That would give us a big buzz.'

Brighton will say farewell to captain Bruno on Sunday, who announced his retirement on Friday after a seven-year spell at the club that saw them win promotion to the Premier League and twice secure safety.

As part of his pre-match duties, barring a guard of honour, he will have to shake hands with City skipper Kompany Manager Chris Hughton believes it is a fitting farewell: 'I see a lot of parallels. Both are very thoughtful captains.

'Bruno, you know his personality, but he's not somebody who is a screamer and shouter. He's hugely respected for the way he goes about everything he does.

'For what Vincent Kompany means for City, that's what Bruno means to us.' Hughton is also hoping Bruno and Duffy can help frustrate City: 'When I look back through this difficult period, and the moments and games that turned things in our favour a bit, the Wolves game was the one. A very good defensive performance, too, at Tottenham. Those are the qualities we'll have to have.

'I'm not embarrassed by the fact we'll have to defend well and for long periods.

'Those performances turned it in our favour. I'm confident we can do that again.'