Blues Back To Winning Ways In Cardiff

I don't think any Manchester City fan ever imagined it would be anything other than a Blues win. I had said, after the Champions League result midweek, that a reaction was needed. How we played in the following game would show us a lot of the character of the team.

In the end it was comfortable, and wrapped up by half time. Pep Guardiola's side now moves to second, ahead of Chelsea, who couldn't break down a Zabaleta led Hammers defence. So what of that performance from Manchester City yesterday? What positives and negatives arose from the 90 minutes in Wales?

Champions League: City Tamed By Lyon

It wasn't the result many expected from Manchester City in their opening fixture in this seasons Champions League. Defeat at the Etihad has been very rare for the Blues over the last few seasons, yet from the first whistle it never felt quite right in the stadium.

It was not so much the defeat, although not great, but the manner in which the Blues started their European campaign which would be most disappointing for City fans. Pep Guardiola was, of course, a spectator for the opening fixture. A ban carried over from last season for his particular seat for this game.

A few supporters have come down very hard on their side, but is that justified? Certainly Lyon deserved to get points from the game with City very lethargic for large portions of the game. Even the referee, who booked Aguero for arguing a decision, then agreeing with him by reversing the decision, cannot shoulder much blame. It was just one of those nights and it will tell us much of the side with how they respond in Wales at the weekend.

City V Fulham: Player Ratings

So long International break and hello real, meaningful football. The Premier League continued this weekend, with Manchester City hosting newly promoted Fulham. In the preview I had spoken about the potential for a return to the starting lineup for both Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling. And so it proved to be, with it not taking long for each to make a mark. I will talk more about the interesting take aways I got from the game in a later article, for now though I only wish to focus on the player ratings from the game.

City v Huddersfield: Predicted Starting XI

The Blues open up their title defense with the first game at the Etihad. A fantastic start to the title defense down in London last weekend, Pep will look to Sunday's game as a chance to collect points dropped last season.

When these two sides met last season, Manchester City were already Champions. The goalless draw was forgotten soon after the final whistle as Vincent Kompany would, once again, lift the Premier League trophy.

Manchester City: Kevin De Bruyne Injured

He came on for 30 minutes last weekend, just in time to see Bernardo Silva double the Blues lead. It was meant to be a slow introduction back into the pace of the Premier League for KDB, who had just returned to the side.

Having been part of the Belgium side to secure third spot in the recent World Cup, his subsequent vacation had seen him miss taking part in the Community Shield victory seven days prior. He would surely have got his first start this weekend against Huddersfield before injuring himself during training.

Opening Day: City's Sterling Performance

The defending Champions, Manchester City, came through a tricky game. Opening day fixtures are somewhat unpredictable. Add a new regime at the Emirates to the fact many players have only just returned from the World Cup, any anything can happen.

In the end, Manchester City ran out comfortable winners, with a sublime performance. That said, there were still parts of the game which had Pep visibly frustrated.

Manchester City Shoot Down Gunners: Players Rated

I must admit, I was a little nervous heading into this opening game. With a new manager at the helm of the Gunners you never really know what you'll actually get. Add to that the lack of preparation for Manchester City and many of their 'first' team players and a trip to the Emirates was not ideal.

Turns out though, there was nothing to worry about. Arsenal are a side in transition though, and it showed during parts in the game. Some City players shone in the Nations capital while others displayed a little bit of rust coming in for their first competitive game. So how did the City players rate?

City Lift Community Shield: Sarri Not Sarri

Manchester City welcomed back some more World Cup stars for the English traditional curtain raiser at Wembley. In a previous article I had written that it would be no big deal, in the grand scheme of things, if City were to lose this game. Certainly it would not be something we would, as fans, reflect on negatively if we would go on to win the League again, or Champions League.

Traditional Curtain Raiser: Community Shield Preview

The World Cup is now a long past memory for football fans around the world. Pre season games have begun and, for some, have even finished. Attention now turns to the start of a brand new Premier League season and all the drama that involves.

Before that kicks off in a little over a weeks time, we have the Community Shield. The traditional curtain raiser it certainly is a game which means less than when I was growing up. It is always nice to see your side lift silverware, don't get me wrong, but in today's football climate it really hasn't kept its sparkle.

Manchester City Pre Season: Boys Beat Bayern

Manchester City lined up for their final of the three International Champions Cup against Bayern at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Pep went with his usual starting eleven which includes numerous youngsters, along with new signing Riyad Mahrez.

Using the competition to give minutes for the younger players, Pep has been impressed with the hunger and desire shown by his young charges. Early on in the game they showed exactly what they could do, with good quick interplay in the opposition half.

Manchester City Pre season: Liverpool Learning

The second International Champions Cup match for Manchester City saw Jurgen Klopps side face off at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. As far as a quality fixture is concerned, it really didn't quite live up to the billing.

Firstly the field resembled a non league pitch in April after a Taylor Swift concert had been held only days before. The 'Swifties' seemingly more rowdy than one might expect although we knew they were trouble we hoped they would shake it off before entering the stadium. Now it's clear they should never, ever, get back together!