7 ...10 And We're Out! Liverpool 1 vs. 0 City

“We started really good. The first chance they have they score, so it was always difficult”, Pep Guardiola – 31/12/2016.

Goals: Wijnaldum (8')

Line Up (4-2-3-1) (match ratings in brackets); 

Bravo (5)
Zabaleta (5), (Navas 86' (5.5))
Kolorov (6)
Otamendi (4.5)
Stones (6)
Toure (6), (Iheanacho 89' (5.5))
Sterling (6.5)
Fernandinho (6)
Silva (6.5)
Aguero (6)
De Bruyne (6)

Referee; Craig Pawson (7)

Stats;Possession, 43%/57%; Shots, 5(1)/9(2); Corners, 4/6; Fouls, 12/12

It was always an ask; Liverpool at Anfield are City's ultimate bogey fixture, having not won there in 13 years. But given Chelsea had extended their seemingly unstoppable run of wins to 13  verses Stoke, this had become a must win fixture by the time kick off arrived. 

The game started well enough with City arguably the more composed, but then with only eight minutes on the clock Zabaleta gave too much space to an in form Lallana, and City's centre backs went missing allowing Wijnaldum to head home. It was the worst of all starts, the momentum went out of City's game, and the front four never looked like landing a punch of their own, as Liverpool sat back in a solid nine and let City pass the ball in front of them. 

Its perhaps a compliment that the Premier Leagues, allegedly, most attack oriented manager, Jeurgen Klopp, saw no need to change the tactics after half time. Happy to hit City on the break, Liverpool were for the most part composed, as City slowly ratcheted up the pressure in the second half. But it was not to be, and with the gap now ten points between City and Chelsea, its going to take a melt down at Stamford Bridge for any other team to take their lead away from them. 

Some take aways from the game are, that Sterling (mostly) didn't let the pathetic booing get to him, Otamendi was terribad in his distribution, as was the ever more bewildering Bravo, and Aguero was ring rusty. All Pep can do before the Burnley game is take a deep breath and go again, but having surprisingly allowing Maffeo and Angelino go on loan in mid-week you have to hope some defensive reinforcements are on his wish list for the January window. 

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

Yaya Boxing Clever, Hull 0 vs 3 City

“In the first half we forgot where the goal was, in the second half, our strikers saw the goal a bit more and after the first goal it was easy.”, Pep Guardiola – 26/12/2016.

Goals: Toure (72' pen), Iheancho (78'), Davies (90'+4 OG)

Line Up (4-1-4-1) (match ratings in brackets); 

Bravo (5.5)
Sagna (6.5)
Clichy (6)
Otamendi (6)
Stones (6), (Kolorov 18' (5.5))
Toure (8.5)
Sterling (7.5)
Fernandinho (6.5)
Silva (7.5), Fernando 87' (5.5)
Nolito (5.5), (Iheanacho 57' (7))
De Bruyne (7)

Referee; Martin Atkinson (7)

Stats;Possession, 33%/67%; Shots, 10(3)/16(6); Corners, 4/7; Fouls, 11/14

Another solid second half performance saw City creep back within seven points of Chelsea, in what is looking like a five horse race for second spot, following the Londoners twelfth victory on the bounce to re-establish their dominance at the top. 

The game followed a similar pattern, with Hull setting out with a solid tight nine at the back in the first half, and City off the pace with what exactly to do to break Hull down; keeping high possession but with little pace of action in the penalty area . 

The second half was much more eventful. Hull decided that the success of the first half tactics was not enough, and started to press City's goal. City similarly realized that more tempo to their game was needed. The result was a much more open game with Hull actually looking a more likely prospect for five minutes or so. Then, as City's more accurate passing, and expansive football began to open up space (pressed by the ever efficient Toure), the City team again remembered the penalty area as a place of interest. 

The breakthrough when it came, was from the first Sterling run into the box on 72'; his heals clearly being clipped by Robertson giving the referee no option but to point to the spot. The resulting penalty was smashed to the keeper Marshall's left and from that point on the result never looked in doubt. Goals were added by Iheanacho on 78', tapping in a Silva cross from the right following De Bruynes direction and inch perfect pass to the magician. Sterling added to Hull's misery late on, again using his pace to get to the by line from Yaya's through ball with the outside of his boot, the cross was played with pace for Iheanacho, but Davies put into his own net before it got there. 

So an efficient if not rousing performance. Yaya Toure again put in a man of the match performance, making it ever more difficult for Pep not to offer the Ivorian talisman another year on his contract; however much his agent may wind up everyone at the club. Big game next at Anfield with 9 points  from 9 so far over Christmas. 

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

A Little Belief Goes A Long Way ... City 2 vs 1 Arsenal

“What a comeback in the 2nd half! 😊😊 ”, Leroy Sane – 18/12/2016.

Goals; Sane (47), Sterling (71'); 


Line Up (4-1-4-1) (match ratings in brackets); 

Bravo (6)
Zabaleta (5.5), Sagna 45' (6.5)
Clichy (6.5)
Otamendi (6)
Kolorov (5.5)
Toure (7.5)
Sterling (8)
Fernando (7)
Silva (7.5)
Sane (8), (Navas 76' (6))
De Bruyne (8), (Iheanacho 84' (5.5))


Stats;Possession, 61%/39%; Shots, 14(5)/6(1); Corners, 8/1; Fouls, 9/13
Referee; Martin Atkinson (7)

Fabulous result and a great turnaround. But for a thirty five minute spell following the Arsenal goal (conceded yet again by being caught on the counter-attack), the City players and equally the fans, seemed to have lost belief in their ability to turn such a bad start around. A second goal at any time from Arsenal, would have opened up a chasm, not just in this game but in this Season's Premier league push. Despite the dominant possession everyone was waiting for another counter-attack, and for the misery to be confirmed. 

Perhaps we'd been brainwashed by the negativity which has surrounded us in the media since the result against Chelsea and Leicester, forgetting that had City taken their chances against the "runaway league leaders" they would have been deservedly well beaten. But the fact that City had not come back from losing at half time since 2012 loomed large as the players entered the tunnel, thankfully just the one goal behind.

Luckily the second half was a different game. Maybe Pep spiked the half time oranges, or threw a hairdryer, or whatever Pep does at half time, but whatever it was ... it worked, the belief was back. A couple of small team changes were made, Zabaleta was forced off through injury, and DeBruyne was tasked with the false 9 role, allowing Sterling and Sane to revert to their favoured right and left wings respectively. But more than that City showed passion and aggression, something sadly missing from the first forty-five.

Two minutes into the half and that aggression paid immediate dividends, Fernando seized on an Arsenal mis-control in midfield, forcing the ball to Silva who chipped over Koscielny, and Sane with his lightning pace ran through and calmly side footed the ball past Cech outstretched right hand, 1-1. It all happened so quickly there was still an air of disbelief, especially that the linesman had rightly not flagged for offside. But from that point on there was only one team going to win the game. City were quicker to the ball, more aggressive in the challenge, and simply wanted it more. It was fabulous to watch, especially against a side as accomplished as Arsenal; who were unable to find any rhythm, and in fact found it difficult to get out of their own half for long periods.

However, City had shown such dominance many times before this Season, their Achilles heal being an inability to convert possession into goals. So when the second goal came it was going to be something special, and Sterling certainly gave us that. On 71' Kevin De Bruyne, magnificent in the second half, floated a fifty yard pass from the left wing to the right, into the path of Sterling, who twisted one way then another to wrong foot Monreal before surprising everyone by cracking the ball low and hard into the right corner, 2-1, and the crowd went wild!

City could have made it three or four. De Bruyne's effort off the post from Jesus Navas' cross on 78' perhaps the best. The three points were well earned, giving City their second home win in a week, after previously not winning at home since September. It's going to be a long long haul to try and catch Chelsea, but having dispatched Arsenal whilst playing without two of their most important players, Aguero and Fernandhino, at least the team (and this particular fan) has again found some belief. #CTID.

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

Captain Zabba Bleeds Blue !!! City 2 vs. 0 Watford

“The game is always open here in England, Watford have impressed me. They have amazing strikers, strong and physical, but my players played with the spirit”, Pep Guardiola – 14/12/2016.

Goals; Zabaleta (33), Silva (86'); 


Line Up (4-1-4-1) (match ratings in brackets); 

Bravo (6)
Zabaleta (8.5)
Clichy (6.5)
Otamendi (6)
Kolorov (6)
Toure (7.5)
Sterling (7.5)
Gündogan (5.5), (Fernando 44' (6))
Silva (7.5)
Nolito (7), (Navas 81' (5.5))
De Bruyne (7), (Sane 89' (5.5))


Stats;Possession, 64%/36%; Shots, 12(6)/5(2); Corners, 5/2; Fouls, 16/20
Referee; Kevin Friend (6.5)

A much more solid performance, and a much needed 3 points, kept City at least in sight of Chelsea (7 points clear), and within breathing distance of Arsenal and Liverpool (1 point ahead). 

Following the debacle at the King Power on Saturday, Pep again rang the changes. Nolito's hard running and closing up front, prefered to young Iheanacho's raw skill, and Yaya's power and comfort on the ball, chosen over Fernandos more obvious tackling intent.

The first half followed the pattern of recent home games verses Middlesboro, Everton, and Southampton with plenty of possession, and glimpses, rather than spells, of the one touch football which pulled teams apart at the beginning of the season. Pleasing, however, was the defence seemingly much more comfortable in a more traditional four, allowing the full-backs to overlap, and also more purpose from all the players in the closing and pressing in the Watford half.

Zabaleta had been handed the Captains arm-band for the game, and was already leading by example with a number of purposeful overlaps and decent link up play with Sterling, before he latched onto De Bruyne's cross at the far post on 33', to calmly pass the ball past Gomes.  1-0. It was nearly two, six minutes later when Nolito's effort was well saved from another De Bruyne assist. All was well as City edged towards half time, except for that elusive second goal, which has evaded City so often at home this season, and cost them so dearly later in matches. Then, with what Pep said later could be serious ligament damage, Gündogan was forced off following a foul by Amrabat .

The second half proceeded much the same as the first with City dominating the ball, and Yaya, Silva, (both celebrating their 200th games in a City shirt) as well as De Bruyne showing some bright touches. That second goal, however, would still not come and with Troy Deeney brought on as substitute and with Ighalo squandering Watford's best chance of the game on 81', I for one had a sinking feeling of Deja Vu as Watford moved forward ten yards and pressed for an equaliser.

Watford's efforts were however in vain, and perhaps I should have shown more confidence, as on 86' City finally broke through. Watford's press broken on the left by a strong tackle from De Bruyne and a Sterling/Silva combination of passes ending with a deft left foot effort beating Gomes easily to make it 2-0.

So City move into another six pointer on Saturday with the game against Arsenal at the Etihad, hopefully buoyed by the fact they have beaten a Watford side who in turn beat Arsenal's nemesis from last night Everton only last week. So a win for City is a given surely :P ... #CTID.

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

Pep Fox Up at the King Power, Leicester 4 vs. 2 City

“After four minutes, two-nil is difficult for the team”, Pep Guardiola – 10/12/2016.

Goals; Vardy (3', 20', 78'), King (5'); Kolorov (82'), Nolito (90') 


Line Up (4-1-4-1) (match ratings in brackets); 

Bravo (4)
Zabaleta (5)
Sagna (5)
Stones (6.5)
Kolorov (4)
Fernando (5)
Navas (5.5), (Sterling 58' (5.5))
Gündogan (4.5), (Nolito 68' (6.5))
Silva (5.5)
Iheanacho (5.5), (Toure 58' (5.5))
De Bruyne (5)


Stats;Possession, 22%/78%; Shots, 10(6)/19(4); Corners, 3/11; Fouls, 10/7
Referee; Michael Oliver (5)

The highs of a six game perfect start in the PL, a derby victory, and even the more recent drubbing of Barcelona at the Etihad, all now seem a distant memory. City's achilles heal has been well and truly exploited in recent weeks, and never more so than by Leicester's route one yesterday. Below are five home truths, rammed home at the King Power Stadium: 

1. The purchase of Claudio Bravo, at the expense of fan's favourite Joe Hart, could well already be the undoing of Pep Guardiola's Premier League title attempt.  Hart's shop stopping ability has of course been missed, especially in light of Bravo's inability to get anywhere near a ball, but its more the lack of vocal presence and any kind of command of his defence which is Bravo's undoing. He has been a fish out of water since he first pulled on the shirt.

2. The shoe-horning of Gundogan alongside both Silva and De Bruyne was a retrograde step on his return from injury. In the advanced position he has been asked to play he sucks the space from the other two. If he is to play it needs to be much deeper or either Silva or DeBruyne must make way. Nolito, though not the technical player Gundogan/Silva/DeBruyne undoubtedly are, has much better sense of position and knows when to be out wide, as shown in the opening six wins of the Season.

3. Given the pure comedy of City's back-line, and apparent lack of confidence in the youngsters, City simply must invest in a solid centre half and left back in the up coming transfer window. For now, simplicity, and perhaps allowing the defence to retreat an extra ten yards would be the pragmatic thing to do before what, if anything, is left of John Stone's confidence is completely shot.

4. City do not get enough men into the area when attacking, leaving some wonderful play completely unfulfilled and wasted.

5. Perhaps the only surprising one of this list. What happened to the high energy closing of teams seen in the first six games of the Season, and recreated so spectacularly against Barcelona? Serious questions now need to be asked of work rate as well as confidence having shipped seven goals in two games.

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me

Manchester City 1 v 1 Celtic – A worthy exercise

“Since the age of 13 or 14, the Academy has prepared me for this day and days to come” Tosin Adarabioyo

, Guardiola - 23/11/2016

Goals;   Roberts (4'); Iheanacho (8')


Line Up (3-2-4-1) (match ratings in brackets); 

Caballero (5)
Adarabioyo (7)
Sagna (6)
Clichy (5)
Zabaleta (8)
Fernando (7)
Maffeo (7) (Navas 62')
Sane (8)
Gundogan (7)
Nolito (6)
Iheanacho (8)

Stats; Possession 55%/45%; Shots 2(3)/6(5); Fouls 7/16.

The final outcome of Group B was already in the books. The Etihad entertained Celtic in an exhibition style match that had next to no competitive incentive in comparison to the reverse 3-3 thriller in Glasgow. Nevertheless, this may have proved to have had a higher importance than many realise. 

City lined up in, yet another different formation and a different set of players. In what was described as a back four of Maffeo, Sagna, Tosin and Clichy. It was fantastic to see the two City academy youth prospects starting in a Champions League game. This in itself cannot be overlooked. Neither of which looked out of place. Tosin was steady, played the game in front of him and battled in a no nonsense fashion. Something of a novelty in City’s central defence based on recent weeks. Maffeo was deployed as more of a wingback – with Sagna and Zaba providing the young Spaniard with the licence to keep wide and provide an outlet. Maffeo had the grit and dynamism that he showed in the EFL cup tie against the rags. Fierce in the tackle and never shy’d away from the ball. The only criticism I have is that we didn’t make use of his blistering pace on the flanks enough. 

The next positives come from the slightly more senior (yet still under 21 years old) Sane and that boy Kelechi. Sane looked every bit a 30-million-pound player, while making Lustig look like a Scottish league player. This is where the Pep effect was really apparent for me watching from the stands yesterday. Sane was constantly keeping the game stretched. Owning both channels and for lack of a Silva or De Bruyne in the middle, we may have exploited Celtic much more in these areas. 

Kelechi, well, what more can you say. Directly involved in a goal every 71 minutes. 5 goals, 3 assists this season. 13 goals in 18 starts. The boy is growing at every opportunity. Coming in for Aguero who has been left on the naughty step, this was a game that Kelechi needed to boost his confidence ahead of a busy Christmas period where he will be the main man in front of goal. A goal and some fantastic link up play throughout will prove invaluable in the coming weeks. 

And finally, the Zab and Octopus Pivot in holding midfield. Deployed in an unfamiliar role, Zaba took to the box-to-box role fantastically. Him and Fernando aren’t the most technically gifted, but they did their jobs fantastically. Breaking up the play, moving the ball quickly and providing an extra man down the middle with a classic Zabaleta overlap. Fabian Delph may find it difficult to make the bench with these two showing a fantastic level of solidity in the holding roles. While it seems a shame we did not give Aleix Garcia a run in this role, its yet another option for Pep to call upon in the oncoming avalanche of December games. 

Was this a game of the highest quality? No. However, the above cannot be underestimated with the confidence it will give each of these individuals moving forward. After a demoralising defeat to table toppers Chelsea. This adaptable City will have a real purpose on Saturday. If ever there was a time to trust in the young guns, it was now. 


@PatrickElano

Anthony Taylor, Take A Bow, City 1 vs. 3 Chelsea

“They have few chances and they scored from them ”, Pep Guardiola – 03/12/2016.

Goals; Cahill (OG 45');Costa (60'), Willian (70'), Hazard (90')


Line Up (3-4-2-1) (match ratings in brackets); 

Bravo (4)
Kolorov (5)
Otamendi (5)
Stones (5.5)
Navas (7.5)
Fernandinho (6.5, Red Card 90')
Sane (7), (Clichy (4) 69')
Gündogan (6.5), (Toure 5.5), 76')
Silva (6.5)
Agüero (6.5, Red Card 90')
De Bruyne (6.5)


Stats;Possession, 61%/39%; Shots, 14(5)/10(4); Fouls, 14/9
Referee; Anthony Taylor (-5)

Firstly City should have won the game with or without Chelsea being on the favourable end of some hugely controversial refereeing from Anthony Taylor, in what even in this season of ridiculously poor refereeing, was quite frankly an appalling display.

Of the three game changing moments in the match, Taylor was involved in two. His failure to step up and take the big decision when Luis took out Aguero when free on goal in the 36', was just plain cowardice. Eight minutes later and Kante takes out Gundogan in the box, less clear cut but certainly would have been given as a foul if it hadn't been inside the penalty area. These are the big decisions that top referees are paid big money to make and Taylor simply did not have it in him ... make your own minds up as to why.

So when Gary Cahill shinned Navas' cross into his own net on 45', it was the least City deserved at that point. Though on another day Chelsea would have been down to ten men and already 1-0 down.

Then came the third decisive moment. Chelsea had already been let off the hook a couple of times; the most significant when Aguero latched onto defensive lapse by Alonso and should really have cut the ball back rather than shoot. Then City broke on the right and Navas squared a beautiful ball to De Bruyne, which the Belgian skied over the bar when it was much easier to score from 5 yards out.

And from that point City's Achilles heal, its wayward defence, became the heart of a collapse rarely seen at the Etihad. Goals from Coast, WIllian, and Hazard were all on the break and all through lack of foresight and pace by City's defenders. Bravo again proved that he's not a shot stopper barely twitching and the three efforts went past. Clichy, brought on to shore up things defensively was perhaps the biggest problem alongside Otamedi and Kolorov's insistence on playing in midfield.

The press will now delight in informing us of Chelsea's dominance, where in actuality City should have buried them. But they didn't, and whilst the tactics and wonderful football are not accompanied by the required composure in front of goal, they do not allow for a set of defenders as poorly drilled and as lacking in discipline as City's back line. Something needs to change and it needs to change quickly in that back five.

The two red cards at the end were a direct result of the poor refereeing previously, Luis had already hurt Aguero on a further two occasions when the Argentine overran the ball and mistakenly thought he could exact some revence with a wild kick out towards the ball but intended for Luis. Fernandhino had received a slap from Fabregas before his chase of the Spaniard cause him to fall theatrically over an advertising hoarding. In the cold light of Sunday morning these will both look indefensible considering the damage the accompanying three match bans will have on City's run into Christmas, but in the moment they were understandable frustration. Again its noteworthy that not a single Chelsea player received any punishment in the melee following Aguero's challenge. #CTID

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me