City Lose From Winning Position...Again

Manchester City and Pep Guardiola certainly have a lot to contemplate as they travel back up the M1 this afternoon. A 2-1 defeat to Leicester on a traditional Boxing Day fixture alone is not a cause for concern. What is a concern though, is the manner in which it happened.

Following an unexpected defeat only a few days prior, to Crystal Palace, a reaction was expected from the defending Champions. Today, as with Saturday, it would be City who would take the lead through some intricate play.

City Stunned By Townsend Beauty

I think it is fair to say that the game at the Etihad against Crystal Palace did not go exactly to plan. Our first league defeat at our home ground since the United game last season came less than 24 hours after Liverpool had extended their lead over us at the top of the table.

Pundits and commentators alike believe Christmas has come early with the trifector of incidents. Our surprise loss, hot on the heels of a Liverpool victory, conspired to make it a weekend of delight for those who see City as an annoyance. Add to that a resurgent Manchester United rolling over a Cardiff City side and you might be forgiven in thinking you’d been transported back to the 1990’s.

Champions League: Shakhtar Reaction

It has been quite a while since I last sat down at the computer to write something about Manchester City. An increased work load combined with other issues led to the absence which, despite this piece, may continue. I did feel that I needed to write about Manchester City's victory over Shakhtar last night in the Champions League.

Firstly, after the initial defeat against Lyon on match day one, City have cruised to the top of Group F and look good to progress with a victory in France at the end of the month securing top spot. Analysis of the demolition of the Ukranian side by our boys in blue was somewhat brushed under the carpet in favor of a critique of Raheem Sterling.

Blues Top The League: Brighton Talking Points

The scoreline makes it seem the game was closer than it actually was. Certainly a sigh of relief was audible when Sergio Aguero slotted home the second in the 65th minute. The result, along with Liverpools failure to beat Chelsea, means Pep Guardiola's side return to the summit after only seven games.

The two will meet in the League next weekend, and the chance for one to put daylight between the other. Focusing on our previous match though, what lessons do we take away from that result and overall performance.

City Dominate Brighton: Players Rated

Manchester City will go into next weekends six pointer ahead of their opposition after this past victory against Brighton. The three points gained at the Etihad now put them level on all stats with Liverpool who have a poorer goal difference.

It was a comprehensive win for the Blues, as you might expect. However it did take a piece of solo running from Sergio Aguero to make the result safe in the 65th minute. So, how did I rate the players?

Blues Against Brighton: History Of The Fixture

After, what was eventually, a comprehensive defeat of Oxford United City return to Premier League action. Welcoming Chris Hughtons Brighton side who are enjoying their second successive season in the Premier League.

Currently 13th in the Premier League, Hughton will be looking at securing the Seagulls stature and making them established in England's top flight. In order to do this games like tomorrow will not be ones pinpointed as ones where that future is made or broken.

That's not to say they will not put out a decent lineup and make it tough for us. They did last season, and they will again.

Carabao Check-up: Player Ratings

It was a tale of two Phils for Manchester last night. Our very own Phil Foden put in a man of the match performance away to Oxford in the Carabao Cup. Meanwhile, at the Stadium of Dreams, Phil Jones put the icing on a poor United performance. 

A gift that keeps on giving with players in Red, who were slated as not giving 100% for the shirt, were shown up by Frank Lampards Championship side, Derby County. Meanwhile, 160 miles south, Manchester City's youth and fringe players were securing the win in a very comprehensive victory.